Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Sunbeds (Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and shall come into operation on 1st May 2012.

(2) In these Regulations "the Act" means the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Provision of information

2. The health and other information required to be provided to a person in accordance with sections 4(2), (3), (5) or (7) of the Act shall-

(a)contain the information set out in Schedule 1;

(b)be provided on a flat and rectangular document;

(c)be at least A4 in size; and

(d)be printed in black characters, which can be easily read, on a yellow background.

Display Notice

3. A notice required to be displayed in sunbed premises in accordance with section 5(2) of the Act shall-

(a)contain the health and other information set out in Schedule 2;

(b)be at least A3 in size, and

(c)be printed in black characters, at least 20 millimetres in size, on a yellow background.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 5th March 2012

Dr Elizabeth Mitchell

A senior officer of the

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Regulation 2

SCHEDULE 1

Information to be provided to sunbed users

HEALTH WARNING

INFORMATION FOR SUNBED USERS

Using sunbeds can harm your health in the long term. Sunbeds have been linked to:-

• a higher risk of skin cancer -� people who use sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing malignant melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) by 75%;

• eye damage including a higher risk of cataracts (an eye disease in which the lens of the eye becomes covered in an opaque film that affects sight and may eventually cause total loss of sight) -� if appropriate eye protection is not worn; and

• premature skin ageing which means that your skin becomes coarse, leathery and wrinkled at a younger age.

The health risks of using a sunbed are greater than any possible benefits they might provide in helping the body create Vitamin D.

There are also short term health effects:-

• sunburnt skin, which may become red and painful and may blister;

• skin dryness;

• an itchy "heat" rash;

• cold sores; and

• itchy eyes, conjunctivitis or more serious eye conditions if appropriate eye protection is not worn.

You should not use a sunbed if you:-

• have had skin cancer in the past;

• have a family history of skin cancer;

• have fair or sensitive skin;

• burn easily in sunlight;

• have sunburn/skin damage or have a history of sunburn especially in childhood;

• have a large number of freckles and/or red hair;

• have a large number of moles;

• have a medical condition that is made worse by sunlight;

• are using medication or creams that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight;

• have a weakened immune system;

• fail to protect your eyes -� never use a sunbed without wearing suitable eye protection;

• are under 18.

Some women find their skin is more sensitive during pregnancy. This could mean that your skin may be more likely to burn in the sun or if you use a sunbed.

IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO ALLOW A PERSON UNDER 18 USE A SUNBED ON SUNBED PREMISES OR TO HIRE OR SELL A SUNBED TO A PERSON UNDER 18

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 2

Information to be displayed on sunbeds premises

HEALTH WARNING

Sunbed use will increase your risk of getting skin cancer.

Sunbed use can damage your skin and eyesight.

IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO ALLOW A PERSON UNDER 18 USE A SUNBED ON SUNBED PREMISES OR TO HIRE OR SELL A SUNBED TO A PERSON UNDER 18

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision under the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 ("the Act") in relation to the health and other information which must be provided to persons buying, hiring or proposing to use a sunbed.

Regulation 2 prescribes the content of the health and other information which must be provided in terms of Article 4 of the Act by a sunbed operator, seller or hirer of sunbeds, to a person who proposes to use, hire or buy a sunbed and the form in which that information must be provided.

Regulation 3 prescribes the content and form of the notice to be displayed in sunbed premises in accordance with section 5 of the Act.

These regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC.