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Belgium - Belgique

In Belgium, there is not a specific implementation decree regulating the sector of piercing and tattooing practices. Regulation is carried out by means of a framework law* of 9 February 1994, on the safety of goods and of services (hereafter the law on the safety of 1994).

In addition, there is an opinion** of the Belgian Health Council (Conseil Supérieur d'Hygiéne) which highlights key issues to be taken into consideration, such as hygiene conditions, sterility of equipment and chemical/materials, risk communication etc.


Legal Basis: The law on the safety of 1994 stipulates that the manner of working and the products used should not expose the consumer to a danger. In other words, the responsibility rests entirely to the piercer or the tattooist. They have to work according to the code of practice. For the sector, that means concretely that the person who carries out tattooing or piercing is responsible for the manner of working and for the quality of the products used. Consumers are protected on the basis of the law of 1994. Complaints always are the subject of a follow-up by Control and Mediation (old Economic Inspection Administration).

The law on the safety of 1994 makes it possible to draw up directives for a specific sector. In this light, a decree**** issued in March 2003 enlarged the scope of the EU Consumers Safety Commission with the mission of organizing:

• a concertation procedure among representatives of the sector
• the consumers organisations and the public authorities
• of promoting the establishment of a quality label for the piercing/tattooing practices

As a result, the Belgian Hygiene Quality Label *** for the piercing/tattooing practices was published on 14 th April 2003.


The Belgian Hygiene Quality Label for the piercing/tattooing practices:

Definitions: Definitions are provided by Belgian Hygiene Quality Label. They include a) Figurative tattooing and b) the Permanent Make-Up (which includes micro-pigmentation and the dermography).

The Belgian Hygiene Quality Label states that all the above-mentioned terms are tattooing techniques and they are used indifferently. The aesthetic objective is of primary importance and safety and the well-being of the customer are in the centre of concern.

Licencing, education and skills: The Belgian Hygiene Quality Label does not foresee professional licensing procedures and mandatory participation in vocational training. Holders of the label can become only persons who carry out piercing or tattooing in a professional way. This means therefore that these persons (or their company) have to have their(s) activity(s) in the Trade register recorded (Register of the Craft industry). A valid VAT number is essential. Professional responsibility insurance covering the activities of the professional is necessary. The conditions which have obligatorily to be respected are described in the label under the following headings:

• Deontology
• Hygiene conditions of reception hall and work space
• Treatment of the equipment, instruments and jewels
• Hygiene procedures during piercing/tattooing practices
• Collection and waste processing

Sterility requirements: The Belgian Hygiene Quality Label states clearly that sterility is required for the equipment and materials used (such as needles). The requirement for using one-way material, where feasible, is expressed. Otherwise, material and equipment must be sterilised before reuse. Sterility requirements for the chemicals used are not included.

Special safety requirements on chemicals/materials used: The Belgian Hygiene Quality Label does not include any particular safety requirements for the chemicals used.

Other key provisions (non exhaustive summary):

• Sub-cutaneous aneasthetics practices must be carried out by medical doctors
• Hygiene conditions and procedures are described
• Specifications for the equipment and overall facilities are described

* Loi relative à la sécurité des produits et des services , Royaume de Belgique, 9 février 1994 (modifiée par les lois du 4 avril 2001 et du 18 décembre 2002
** Conseil Supérieur d’Hygiène Avis du CSH-HGR N° 7674. Recommandations à faire aux tatoueurs et pierceurs en matière d'hygiène de leur instrumentation pour éviter la transmission des maladies infectieuses et surtout virales, Bruxelles, 26 février 2002.
*** Belgian Hygiene Quality Label Code de bonne pratique pour les professionnels effectuant des piercings et/ou des tatouages, 14 Avril 2003
**** Arrêté royal chargeant de missions supplémentaires la Commission de la Sécurité des Consommateurs, Bruxelles, le 28 mars 2003

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