Discussions and consultations concerning the regulation of aesthetic practices in Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

Discussions and consultations that have taken place concerning the regulation of aesthetic practices in Scotland in relation to the following:-

1. Timeline: Please provide information pertaining to all meetings, consultations, or discussions that took place from January 2020 to the present date concerning the regulation of aesthetics in Scotland.

2. Representatives: I would like to know the names and affiliations of all individuals who represented non-medical practitioners, including but not limited to:
- Aesthetic therapists
- Beauty practitioners
- Cosmetic practitioners
- Any other relevant stakeholders who are classified as non-medics

3. Meeting Records: If available, please include any minutes, agendas, or summaries of the meetings where these representatives were present, along with an overview of the topics discussed related to the regulation of aesthetics.

4. Consultation Documents: If there were any formal documents or reports generated from these discussions, I would like to request copies of such documents, particularly those that outline the perspectives, concerns, or recommendations made by the non-medical representatives.

5. Outcome of Discussions: Lastly, please provide information on any outcomes or decisions that arose from these discussions that pertain to the regulation of aesthetic practices involving nonmedical practitioners.

Response

The consultation concerning the regulation of aesthetic/cosmetics practices in Scotland was published in January 2020 and the responses to this consultation was issued in July 2022. The Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group (SCIEG) then reconvened in November 2023. SCIEG provides advice to the Scottish Government regarding the potential regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The group’s advisory membership consists of:

• Chair, Andy Malyon - Scottish Government & NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
• CEO of British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology and the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology
• General Practitioner & Aesthetic Physician and representative of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine
• Former Director of Learning and Skills, Ayrshire College
• Nurse Independent Prescriber, aesthetic practitioner and member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses
• Representative from the Faculty of Health Wellbeing and Management, Glasgow Clyde College
• Representative from Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Environmental Health Officers

The Scottish Government has now published and released all minutes from Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group (SCIEG) meetings held since the group was reconvened. Please see link to published minutes here.

From July 2022 until the publication of the second consultation in December 2024 the Scottish Government has also engaged with the organisations and individuals listed below:

• The National Health and Beauty Federation
• The British Beauty Council
• A non-healthcare aesthetic practitioner
• Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
• Scottish Medical Aesthetics Safety Group
• Save Face
• British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• A pharmacist and aesthetic practitioner
• Regulatory Review Group
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Scottish Trans - Trans and nonbinary lived experience coordinator
• Glasgow Caledonian University

Furthermore, Scottish Government regularly engages with the UK Government, other UK Devolved Administrations and public bodies on this policy.

In regard to discussions held between the Scottish Government and non-medical practitioners/organisations, the meetings with National Hair and Beauty Federation and British Beauty Council were informal meetings used to gather additional insight and feedback on the Scottish Government proposals.

Notes taken from a discussion between a non-healthcare aesthetic practitioner/trainer and the Scottish Government on 23 July 2024 have been included with this response. You will note that, in some cases, the names of attendees have not been provided. Instead, we have listed their organisational affiliation, and attributed any comments accordingly. Whilst these names are not recorded as redactions we have considered this approach in the light of this FoI request, and our obligations under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

In each case where a name has not been given I have considered this in light of Section 38 of the Act, including consideration of the public interest test, and I am comfortable that our approach is in keeping with our responsibilities under the Act, and in terms of the management of personal data, including third party data.

In relation to your request to provide any formal documents or reports generated from discussions around the consultation please see link here to the Scottish Government response to the 2020 consultation, published in July 2022.

While most of the current information that you have requested in relation to the SCIEG discussions held around the 2024 consultation is now available online, the Red-Green List of procedures discussed at the SCIEG group meeting on 28 May 2024, along with the Risk Category document discussed at the SCIEG group meeting on 27 August 2024, have not yet been published, and so they have also been included with this response.

The minutes of the meetings shared set out the discussions that have taken place to enable SG to draft the proposals that are in included in the current consultation. See link here.

Scottish Government will confirm any plans for legislation required once the consultation is closed and we have analysed the consultation responses alongside other planned engagement. Subject to that, the proposals that were consulted on will be refined.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500448466 - Information released - Annex

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