Solaria (tanning units)
On 4 February 2012, the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Robyn Parker MP, announced that commercial ultraviolet (UV) tanning unit services for cosmetic purposes would be banned from 31 December 2014. For more information, see the
media release (pdf file, 118KB).
Radiation Control Regulation 2013
On 13 February 2013 the Radiation Control Regulation 2013 (the Regulation) remade, with amendments, the provisions of the Radiation Control Regulation 2003.
A significant amendment to the Regulation introduces a complete ban on commercial cosmetic tanning services that use certain radiation apparatus from 31 December 2014.
The existing solaria laws introduced by the Radiation Control Amendment (Tanning Units) Regulation 2009 remain in effect until 31 December 2014.
In announcing the ban, the Minister indicated that the Government would provide assistance to industry to dispose of unwanted tanning units safely from 1 July 2013. For more information see UV Tanning Units Disposal Scheme.
Radiation Control Amendment (Tanning Units) Regulation 2009
The Radiation Control Amendment (Tanning Units) Regulation 2009 commenced on 29 May 2009. It amended the Radiation Control Regulation 2003 (the Regulation) to include controls on the operation of commercial tanning units (commonly known as solaria) in New South Wales. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) administers this legislation.
The main guidance document for the operation of solaria is the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2635:2008: Solaria for cosmetic purposes. This outlines the requirements for installing, maintaining and operating commercial tanning units in clubs, sporting establishments, beauty salons and various cosmetic institutions. Copies of the Standard can be obtained from Standards Australia at: http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/.
The application of regulatory options to solaria has been considered at the national level by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the Radiation Health Committee.
The NSW Regulation is consistent with the Australian Standard and the National Directory for Radiation Protection: Solaria. The main requirements are:
Clients must be 18 years or over and not have fair (Type I) skin.
Operators must have appropriate training.
Assessment of clients' skin type must be conducted by a trained operator or a medical certificate assessing the skin type of the client must be available.
The client must sign a written consent form.
The level of client exposure to UV radiation in any one session is limited according to skin type.
Frequency of exposure is restricted with successive tanning sessions being at least 48 hours apart.
Sessions must be supervised by a trained operator.
Warning notices must be displayed.
Records must be kept including signed consent forms; details of maintenance and servicing of tanning units and the sale/transfer of tanning units; training undertaken by operators; skin assessments undertaken; and details of tanning sessions.
No representations or claims may be made:
(a) that there are any non-cosmetic health benefits from the use of a tanning unit
(b) that the use of a tanning unit is safe from risk, or
(c) that tanning sessions can be provided more often or at a higher dosage than allowed under the Regulation.
Information must be provided to the EPA about the name, location, contact details and number and type of tanning units used.
Information for solaria businesses and operators
Solaria operators must assess a person's skin type in accordance with the Fitzpatrick Skin Photo Type Classification System.
A written consent form must be read, understood and signed by a client prior to a tanning session. The consent form (ConsentFormSolaria.pdf; 8.87KB) should outline the risks associated with exposure to ultraviolet light from a tanning unit. Signed consent forms are required to be kept at the solaria premises.
Solaria owners need to provide EPA with certain information in writing. This information will be used by the EPA to compile an up-to-date database so that it can issue educational materials, details of training and inform regulatory activities such as compliance audits. A notification form has been prepared to collect this information. If you are a solaria owner and have not completed a notification form or your details have changed, please complete this form and send it to the EPA as indicated on the form.
ARPANSA has developed an online training package to supplement training that solaria owners would provide to their staff in relation to matters required by the Regulation. This is available on the ARPANSA website at: http://www.arpansa.gov.au/RadiationProtection/Solaria/index.cfm .
A list of frequently asked questions and answers is provided to also assist businesses.
Download: Solaria (Tanning Units) Fact Sheet - a summary of requirements for solaria businesses and operators (110721solariafs.pdf; 78KB)
More information
For more information on solaria requirements, contact the EPA's Hazardous Materials, Chemicals and Radiation Section
Phone: (02) 9995 5000
Phone: 131 555
Facsimile: (02) 9995 6603
Email: radiation@environment.nsw.gov.au
Postal address:
Hazardous Materials, Chemicals and Radiation Section
NSW Environment Protection Authority
PO Box A290
Sydney South NSW 1232
For more information on skin cancer, visit:
www.health.nsw.gov.au
www.cancerinstitute.com.au (www.darksideoftanning.com.au)
Document links
Page last updated: 03 April 2013
