The code provides for persons who fail to register and are found guilty in a magistrate court, to be fined a maximum ranging from EC$50,000 EC$250,000 and or sentenced to between three- and five-years' imprisonment. Photo: iStock

It will also require that workers in the industry be registered or face maximum fines ranging from EC$50,000 to EC$250, 000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) 

“An allied health practitioner shall not undertake body modification procedures such as puncturing, creating an opening, cutting or inserting an object into a minor, without first obtaining the written consent of the parent or guardian of the minor,” according to the code published in the latest edition of the Government Gazette. 

The code comes after years of consultation with various stakeholders to ensure that there a unified standard. It mandates that persons in the industry should be registered and licensed with the Allied Health Council which is a body established by the 2010 Health Practitioners Act. 

Chairperson of the Council, Dr Nicole Forte, said that the beauty and wellness industry covers all professions and professionals offering a service that qualifies as beauty and wellness. 

“These will include hairdressers, barbers, pedicurists, manicurists, nail technicians, tattoo artists, and masseuses, basically this code is for all the workers in that industry,” she said, reiterating the need for workers to be registered. 

The code provides for persons who fail to register and are found guilty in a magistrate court, to be fined a maximum ranging from EC$50,000 EC$250,000 and or sentenced to between three- and five-years' imprisonment. 

The registration fee is EC$250 and the licensing fee is EC$350 and must be renewed every three years.