Since 1st May 2012, sunbed use in Northern Ireland will be regulated by the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. 

What Does the Law Do?


I. prohibits an operator of sunbed premises from allowing a person under 18 to use a sunbed on those premises and prohibits a person who is under 18 to be present in a ‘restricted zone’ on those premises;
 
II. prohibits the sale or hire of sunbeds to persons under 18;
 
III. prohibits an operator of sunbed premises from allowing any person to use a sunbed without supervision;
 
IV. places a duty on the operator of sunbed premises, including those who sell and hire sunbeds, to provide customers with information on the risks associated with sunbed use;
 
V. places a duty on the operator of sunbed premises to display a public information notice on the risks associated with sunbed use;
 
VI. prohibits an operator of sunbed premises to provide or display any material that claims health benefits of sunbed use;
 
VII. places a duty on the operator of sunbed premises to ensure that protective eyewear is made available to those who propose to use a sunbed on their premises and as far as reasonably practicable, ensures that person wears the protective eyewear. The Act also places a duty on sunbed hirers and sellers to provide hirers and buyers of sunbeds with protective eyewear;
 
VIII. places a duty on the operator of sunbed premises and those who hire or sell sunbeds to meet such training requirements as may be prescribed by Regulations, and for an operator to also secure that such employees and agents, as may be prescribed, also meet those training requirements;  
 
IX. places a duty on the operator of sunbed premises and those who hire or sell sunbeds to ensure that sunbeds used on those premises meet certain requirements, as may be prescribed by Regulations;
 
X. enables the Department to make Regulations to provide for a registration and/or licensing scheme in respect of premises which are used, or proposed to be used, as sunbed premises and in respect of premises on which the sale or hire of sunbeds takes place, or is proposed to take place.
 
Provisions I-VII came into effect on 1 May 2012. The Department may implement provisions VIII-X at a later date.
 
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will enforce the fixed penalties below for offences under the Act.

 

Health Warning


Sunbed use will increase your risk of getting skin cancer.

Sunbed use can damage your skin and eyesight.
 
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO ALLOW A PERSON UNDER 18 USE A SUNBED ON SUNBED PREMISES OR TO HIRE OR SELL A SUNBED TO A PERSON UNDER 18.