The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act

The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 was enacted in June 2014 and was commenced on a phased basis.

Phase one in July 2014 introduced a prohibition on permitting the use of a sunbed by person under 18 years of age on sunbed premises. It also prohibited the sale or hire of sunbed to person under 18 years of age. See copy of the Act below.

Phase two in March 2015 introduced comprehensive measures to protect public health including:

• Prohibition of unsupervised use of sunbeds in sunbed premises;
• Requirement that clients use protective eyewear;
• Prohibition on certain marketing practices;
• Prohibition on health claims;
• Warning signs on premises and social media sites;
• Requirement that sunbed businesses provide health information to potential clients; and
• Notification to the HSE.

The provisions of the Act and associated regulations are enforced by the Environmental Health Officers of the HSE’s Environmental Health Service.

To assist industry in complying with the above requirements please see below Guidance for Industry booklet, FAQs, Warning Signs for website or social media sites, Health Warning Information and Health Information declarations.

Further Information

For further information regarding sunbed legislation please contact the Environmental Health Unit of the Department of Health at:

Email: ehu@health.gov.ie

Phone +353 (0)1 6354000

For information or enquiries regarding enforcement or to make a complaint please contact:

The Sunbed National Office,

National Environmental Health Service,

HSE,

Galway Business Park,

Dangan,

Galway.

Email: sunbeds@hse.ie

Phone +353 (0)91 737350.