Call for Evidence

The APPG on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing is issuing a Call for Evidence in a new inquiry into non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the UK.

The APPG invites written evidence from the public, organisations, industry bodies and academics, on the below terms of reference by 17th July 2020.

Please submit responses to the call for evidence to baw-submissions@interelgroup.com. Each submission should be in Word format and include a contact name, organisation name, and contact email address.

Where possible, please keep submissions to no more than two pages, and there is no requirement to answer all the call for evidence questions.

Submissions will be made public on conclusion of the inquiry and publication of the Group’s report. Please note in your response if you wish any information to remain confidential.

The Group will will be holding oral evidence sessions throughout the course of the inquiry. Further details of the sessions are available here. If you would like to put yourself forward as a witness, please make this known in your written submission.

Terms of reference:

  • Review the scope and scale of non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the UK.
  • Procedures within scope of this inquiry are botulinum toxins or similar anti-wrinkle injectables, dermal fillers, polydioxanone (PDO) threads and PDO cogs.
  • Assess the adequacy of the regulatory and legislative structures and training around non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the UK.
  • Review the case for registration of practitioners.
  • Consider the media and consumer environment for products.

Call for evidence questions:

  • Which of these non-surgical cosmetic procedures are being carried out, where, by whom, with what qualifications, and with what clinical oversight?
  • What regulatory measures currently exist in relation to who should be able to carry out what procedures and where, under what conditions? Is the current framework adequate or are further regulatory measures needed?
  • Are current training standards and qualifications adequate for practitioners who carry out specified non-surgical cosmetic procedures? Are appropriate training opportunities and qualifications available to all?
  • Are standards regarding product quality and premises hygiene standards robust enough? Are current checks and enforcement actions adequate and consistent across the UK?
  • Should there be voluntary or mandatory registration of beauty therapists and medical professionals carrying out such procedures? Are there effective alternatives or additions to registration?
  • Should there be a legal age limit for undertaking specified non-surgical cosmetic procedures?
  • Should there be greater advertising restrictions for fillers and specified non-cosmetic cosmetic procedures?
  • What impact is the rise of social media influencers and the increasing promotion/sale of such procedures online having on the industry and on consumer safety?
  • What legislative changes are required to ensure a safe industry for those seeking treatments and to protect vulnerable people?
  • How can members of the public considering undertaking such a procedure be better informed on where/from whom they should do so? What should be done to make sure people are better informed about the risks of such procedures?