What are the rules if I want to get permanent makeup..?
by: Nohemy Delsol
Read a brief introduction to the standard here and use the attached checklist to assess yourself..
Anyone who wants to perform any form of tattooing on another person is automatically subject to (legal) obligations. In the Netherlands, these obligations are largely laid out in the Dutch version of the EU standard (EN 17169) for tattooing and PMU.
Since January 1, 2022, the rules for performing PMU have become significantly stricter. In the NEN-EN 17169 standard, drafted by the LCHV of the RIVM, you will find these new and stricter responsibilities for the business owner, the requirements that facilities must meet, how to handle hygiene on-site, and hygiene and safety during and after the application of PMU.
In the Netherlands, a license is also required for tattooing or performing PMU. It is therefore prohibited to carry out PMU activities in a space without a license. After submitting a license application, an inspector from the GGD in your region will visit your studio to review your policies and observe you during a PMU treatment to ensure compliance with the requirements of the new standard.
Some changes compared to the old hygiene guidelines are minimal, while other points have been newly introduced.
A few simple examples:
● Pigment(s) may now only be poured into sterile ink cups or pigment rings;
● Wearing a clean apron while performing PMU is now mandatory, and the apron must be changed for each client;
● Artificial nails, nail polish, and all hand and wrist jewelry, including watches, must be removed prior to tattooing.
In short, many practices that were previously allowed are no longer permitted. These new rules and the large amount of new information can certainly be intimidating for aspiring PMU specialists, and for experienced PMU specialists, making the switch can be particularly challenging. To help you out, I’ve put together a checklist of questions so you can check whether you already partially meet the requirements of the new standard.
Checklist
Go through the questions below. If you can answer all questions with a “yes,” then you already largely meet the new standard.
● Do you have a procedure or work instruction regarding hand hygiene for your studio?
● Do you have a procedure or work instruction regarding the use of personal protective equipment?
● Do you have a procedure for after exposure to bodily fluids?
● Do you have a work instruction regarding the storage and inspection of sterile (packaged) materials?
● Do you have an inventory management system?
● Do you have work instructions for setting up and cleaning the work/instrument table?
Did you answer “no” to one or more of these questions?
This means you still need to address a number of issues. The NVWA is the authority responsible for ensuring compliance with the standard. This includes licensing, age restrictions, and the safety of inks/pigments. If violations are identified (e.g., through a report), measures will be taken in accordance with the NVWA’s intervention policy. This could result in the loss of your license or a fine.
Finally…As a PMU specialist, it is important to deliver beautiful work, but it is equally important to meet all legal requirements. To
make
it a bit To make things easier for you, I’ve listed the most important links below. Use the links below to find more information about the laws and regulations regarding PMU.
Want to learn everything about the standard at once and/or prepare as thoroughly as possible for the license? Then sign up for the e-learning course “Hygiene, Safety, and PMU,” which covers all relevant topics. After completing the course, you’ll receive a digital certificate.
Useful links
- Handling personal data
- NVWA: Laws and regulations
- RIVM: LCHV standard NEN-EN 17169 and explanation of the standard
- RIVM’s public database of licensed studios
- Find a GGD in your region here
- Apply for a license
- Take the e-learning course“Hygiene, Safety, and PMU”
Contact lines
- NVWA: info@nvwa.nl
- RIVM - National Center for Hygiene and Safety: lchv@rivm.nl
