Sunbeds and Solaria

Regulation of sunbeds and solaria has only be achieved in a few countries worldwide. However, there exist recommendations of WHO (1), EUROSKIN (2), (3) and the Nordic Radiation Protection and Health Authorities (4). The "Preliminary Opinion" from 2006 of EU's "Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, SCCP" on "Biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sun beds for cosmetic purposes" see under (5).

In addition to these we would like to draw your attention to the following :

In 2009 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has reclassified UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans, see under (6) and a link to the corresponding article at the Lancet Oncology under (7).

In 2009 the German Law published a new “Law for regulating the prevention of non-ionizing radiation”, see under (8).

WHO has published the interim revision of the factsheet No. 287 “ Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure” on April 2010, see (9).

You can download these recommendations by clicking on the links below:

1. Artificial tanning sunbeds - risk and guidance [593 KB]
2. Euroskin´s recommendations (1st Conference, Hamburg) [32 KB]
3. Proposed Code of Practice for Artificial Tanning - Discussion Document [128 KB] *
4. Nordic Radiation Protection and Health Authorities [126 KB]
5. SCCP - Opinion on biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sunbeds for cosmetic purposes [294 KB]
6. IARC - reclassified UV-emitting tanning devices
7. link to article in Lancet Oncology
8. German Law for regulating the prevention of non-ionizing radiation
9. Factsheet No. 287 “Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure”

* The "Code of Practice" has been submitted to the European Commission, European Ministries, Radiation Protection Boards and other institutions.