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Austria - Bundesrepublik Österreich

In Austria, the Bundesgesetz BGBl. I Nr. 111/2002*, the basic law covering tattooing and piercing practices is implemented by two key Regulations (139 and 141 , 14 February 2003). In addition, the 100. Verordnung: Blutspenderverordnung – BSV , from 30th March 1999, prohibits the blood donor-ship ability of people undergone piercing and/or tattooing during the last 12 months.


Legal basis: According to the Bundesgesetz BGBl. I Nr. 111/2002 which amended the Gewerbeordnung 1994, "Piercing and Tattooing practices belong to the cosmetics professional branch". Permanent make up practices belong to Tattooing. Regarding potential adverse effects of materials and chemicals used in piercing and tattooing practices, Regulation 141 (14 February 2003) makes a general reference to relevant chemicals and drugs regulations.


Definitions for piercing and tattooing practices are provided in the above law 111 and in the Regulation 141, which implements the law (Bundesgesetz BGBl. I Nr. 111/2002). According to these definitions permanent make up (PMU) practices belong to tattooing practices.

Licencing, education and skills: According to Bundesgesetz BGBl. I Nr. 111/2002, piercing and tattooing in Austria is only allowed to holders of a licence for cosmetic businesses. The Regulation 139 (14 February 2003) which implements the law (Bundesgesetz BGBl. I Nr. 111/2002), provides the requirements regarding technical qualifications, the detailed specifications of the vocational training and the examination for granting tattooing/piercing licenses.

Tattooing/piercing licences are granted following

• the participation in a 97 hours vocational training organised by authorised technical chamber including theoretical (87 hours) and practical sessions (10 hours)
• the successful participation in an official examination

Sterility requirements: Sterility is required clearly for the equipment, materials and chemicals used. Specifications are given for sterilising and disinfecting equipment. However, implementation criteria and specifications for the control of the sterility of chemicals used are not prescribed.

Special requirements on chemicals/materials used: According to Regulation 141, the materials implanted into the skin must be sterile, non allergic, non toxic and overall well accepted by the human body. In this context, a general recommendation is made to take into consideration relevant chemicals and drugs legislation. However, implementation guidelines for these requirements are not provided.

Other key provisions (non exhaustive summary):
Regulation 141 requires:

• The legally effective written consent of the person undergoing piercing and or tattooing
• The piercing of persons under-aged requires additionally the legally effective written consent of the person entrusted with the care and education of the person under age
• The tattooing of people under-aged is forbidden
• A counselling interview and provision of risk documentation must proceed to the tattooing/piercing practices
• Hygiene conditions and procedures are described
• Specifications for the equipment and overall facilities are described

* 111. Bundesgesetzt: Aenderung der Gewerbeordnung 1994, des Berufsbildungsgesetzes, des Konsumentenschutzgesetzes, des Neugruendungs-Foerderungs und Arbeitskraefteueberlassungsgesetzes, Wien, 23 Juli 2002

Documents denoted by are available in Portable Document Format (.pdf)