APPG report calls for urgent reform of advanced aesthetic non‑surgical cosmetic treatment regulation

The All‑Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing has released its long‑awaited report into advanced aesthetic non‑surgical cosmetic treatments, highlighting the scale of regulatory gaps and the risks they pose to the public. The inquiry examined procedures such as dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections and thread lifts—treatments that have become mainstream but remain governed by an inconsistent and outdated legal framework.

The report is clear that the UK’s licensing and regulatory landscape has not kept pace with rapid industry growth. As the APPG states, “The lack of a consistent legal framework of standards has left consumers at risk and undermined the industry’s ability to develop, with negative connotations for the beauty sector as a whole.” Despite repeated warnings and earlier work such as the 2013 Keogh Review, little action has been taken and the Government has largely left the industry to self‑regulate, creating a patchwork of voluntary registers, variable training routes and uneven local authority powers.

A central focus of the report is the need for stronger regulation and enforcement, particularly through the registration of practitioners. Chapter 3 sets out a series of recommendations designed to create a coherent national system. The APPG calls for a mandatory national licensing scheme for advanced aesthetic non‑surgical cosmetic procedures, covering both practitioners and premises. This would replace the current voluntary approach and ensure that high‑risk treatments are delivered only by individuals who meet nationally agreed standards.

The Group also recommends the introduction of national minimum standards for training, qualifications and competence, developed in partnership with industry and aligned with the Health Education England framework and National Occupational Standards. To support consistent enforcement, the APPG urges the Government to produce statutory guidance for local authorities, similar to the model used for tattooing and piercing, enabling licensing officers to assess risk and compliance more effectively. The report further proposes that dermal fillers be reclassified as Prescription Only Medicines, requiring prescriber oversight and a face‑to‑face consultation before treatment.

These recommendations align closely with the direction set by Health and Care Act 2022 (Section 180), which gives the Government the power to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for non‑surgical cosmetic procedures in England. Once implemented, the scheme will require practitioners and premises to be licensed and will set enforceable standards for safety, hygiene and competence. It is expected to cover high‑risk procedures such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxin, marking a significant shift toward statutory regulation.

For those wanting to follow developments, the Institute of Licensing (IoL) provides regularly updated resources on the progress of cosmetic licensing legislation.