Scotland’s statutory consumer body is recommending greater protections for consumers in the fast-growing non-surgical cosmetic industry.
Procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers and laser treatments have surged in popularity in recent years but have so far been unregulated, raising concerns about safety and accountability.
The Scottish Government has introduced new legislation - the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill - to reduce potential harm from higher risk procedures.
The Bill is currently under scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.
While supporting the Bill, Consumer Scotland has recommended key improvements to ensure consumers receive greater protection and easy access to clear information including:
- Mandatory disclosure of risks, expected outcomes, practitioner qualifications, licensed status of premises performing lower risk procedures and aftercare instructions
- Publication of success rates of particular types of procedures
- Improved accountability, including requirements for professional registration, insurance, indemnity, and clear signposting to regulatory and complaints bodies, to safeguard consumers if harm occurs
- Clear routes to redress, including through regulators and the courts where appropriate
Consumer Scotland has also recommended the Scottish Government work with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) to ensure advertisements for non-surgical procedures are fair, accurate and do not mislead or pressure consumers.
Consumer Scotland Director of Policy and Advocacy Douglas White said:
“Consumers should be able to trust that any cosmetic procedure they undergo is carried out safely, in an appropriate environment, and by someone with the right qualifications.
“The Bill is an important and welcome development, but there are clear opportunities to strengthen it.
“By ensuring consumers receive comprehensive information, by supporting fair and accurate advertising, and by requiring robust mechanisms for help when things go wrong, the Scottish Government can deliver a regulatory regime that puts consumer safety and confidence at its heart.”
Background
The Scottish Government has introduced the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill to reduce potential harm from higher risk procedures.
By the end of the current Parliamentary session the Scottish Government also intends to lay an order under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 establishing a licensing scheme for procedures which are lower risk and do not require the intervention of a healthcare professional and are therefore not included in the Bill.
Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland.