Nine in 10 tanning salons breaking the rules

Federal consumer affairs minister Kris Peeters has issued a warning to the tanning salon sector to expect tighter inspections, after a report showed that 185 out of 197 salons inspected in 2016 were not conforming to regulations.

“In other words, 94% of these businesses were not in order,” Peeters told VRT radio. “A shocking and sorry discovery.” According to the report, half of the salons ignored radiation intensity limits, which is “a worrying number as we know that misuse of sunbeds carries health risks,” he said.

Inspectors found that certain conditions applying to sunbeds are being routinely ignored, such as use by minors or by anyone with skin-type 1 – people with blond or red hair who are sensitive to sunlight and more vulnerable to skin cancer.

Until now, tanning salons were registered under a general activities code that also covered other businesses involving personal care, such as nails and make-up. That made it difficult for inspectors to identify the salons in the group.

In future, Peeters said, any business offering sunbeds – and not only dedicated tanning salons – will have to register under a new code. He also ordered inspectors to carry out more checks and to shut down businesses that do not comply after receiving warnings.

Photo: Ingimage