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Sweden - Sverige

Sweden has no specific legislation concerning tattooing or piercing.

Piercing and tattooing are currently being evaluated in Sweden, particularly with regard to health risks and legislation in other countries. Further discussions on legislation will depend on the results of the evaluation.


Legal Basis: These activities are, however, covered by The Swedish Environmental Code . According to the general rules of consideration in the Code everybody who is to take a measure must perform those protective measures, observe the limitations and take the precautionary measures that are required in order that the measures will not harm health or the environment. Other parts of the Code that are highly relevant for piercing and tattooing are included in

• chapter 9 on "Environmentally hazardous activity and health protection" that, for example, cover localities used for such activities.
• chapter 26 on "Supervision", that specifies the obligation of the operator to continually plan and control the operation to prevent hazards to human health and the environment.

Definitions: -

Licencing, education and skills: According to the Code, activities such as piercing and tattooing shall be notified to the local authorities that are responsible for the supervision. The National Board of Health and Welfare has the over arching responsibility for the supervision within the health protection area under the Code. Supervision is exercised by, and the responsibility of, the local offices for environment and health in the municipalities.

Sterility requirements: -

Special safety requirements on chemicals/materials used: -

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