WINTER 2021 ROUND-UP Botox ban comes into force ROUND-UP It is now illegal in England to provide Botox or dermal filler treatments for cosmetic reasons to people under 18 years old. and introduce robust age-verification processes to ensure they do not provide treatments to anyone under 18 years old. The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 came into force on 1 October 2021. It restricts access to botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox) and cosmetic fillers (known as dermal fillers) for under-18s, except in certain circumstances when a doctor approves the treatments and then only when administered by a doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist. Outlawed practices: Injecting botulinum toxin or a filler for a cosmetic purpose into an under 18 year old in England, even with parental consent Making arrangements or booking an appointment for a person under 18, including by digital or social media. If an appointment is made, but does not proceed, a prosecution can still be brought Injecting an under-18 visiting from outside England. The Department of Health estimates that 41,000 botulinum toxin procedures may have been carried out on people under 18 in 2020, and more than 29,300 dermal filler procedures may have been performed on the same age group over the past four years. The new legislation aims to safeguard children from the potential health risks of botulinum toxin and cosmetic fillers, often administered by unqualified practitioners in unregulated premises. Practitioners and business owners must make their staff aware of the restrictions, To whom does the new law apply? Providers of clinical healthcare services and regulated healthcare professionals Commercial providers of cosmetic procedures, including mobile aesthetic practitioners, regulated healthcare professionals, and beauty therapists Individuals performing the procedures on an informal basis. Go to the gov.uk website for further guidance. Credit: Stuart Powell, Trading Standards Team Leader Image: iStock.com / matejmo DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR UKCA MARKINGS Businesses have an additional year to apply Recognising the impact of the COVID-19 new UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) safety pandemic on businesses, the government markings to products placed has extended the deadline to on the market in England, apply the UKCA mark Scotland and Wales. for certain products to 1 January 2023. The UKCA mark replaces the product-safety labelling that The exception is medical the UK used when it was a devices, for which businesses member of the European will not need to use the UKCA Union. It covers most goods marking until 1 July 2023. that previously required the CE mark known as new For more information, go to approach goods plus aerosol products that the gov.uk website. previously required the reverse epsilon mark. Credit: Sarah Noonan, Trading Standards Officer Take action on avian flu The UKs Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging poultry keepers to take action now to reduce the risk of avian flu this winter. While the UK is currently free from avian flu, 26 outbreaks have been confirmed in kept poultry and captive birds, and in more than 300 wild birds, over the past year. In winter, the risk of migratory wild birds infecting domestic poultry rises, so it is vital that poultry farmers and birdkeepers improve their biosecurity standards. For further information, visit the gov.uk website. Credits: Sarah Noonan, Trading Standards Officer Image: iStock.com / georgeclerk For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service