Running a solarium? Follow the rules the rules!
Getting a tan is not without risk. Solariums are therefore required to follow certain rules, in order to protect their clients. The Royal Decree of 20 June 2002 lays down several rules to limit risks. However, not all risks can be prevented. If you run or operate a solarium, please follow the rules!
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The radiation lever of your sunbeds may never exceed 0.3 W/m2!
You may never allow access to sunbeds to minors, people with skin type I, people taking medication or people who have or have had skin cancer!
Your clients must wear protective goggles on the sunbed!
Regulations
A solarium may only be operated if it meets the general safety requirements determined in the Code of Economic Law, Book IX on products and services safety. The requirements in this code are supplemented with specific regulations in the Royal Decree of 20 June 2002 on the running of solariums.
Conditions for operating a solarium
Every solarium must meet the following conditions:
- As from 1 March 2017, every location where a solarium is operated must be registered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO) with the specific NACEBEL code 9604002 for solariums;
- New! The receptionist and the client must both date and sign a customer form (DOCX, 23.95 KB), which includes:
- the client's details;
- information on the dangers of exposure to UV radiation; and
- the client’s skin type.
- A solarium may not be operated in the absence of a receptionist, unless it meets the conditions of an automated solarium. In this case, a receptionist must be present at least 4 days a week, for at least 1 hour a day;
- Every receptionist is required to have followed and passed the required training;
- The booths in which the sunbeds are found must be spacious, well ventilated and allow rapid evacuation in case of an emergency. Also, each booth must be equipped in such a way that a client can call for immediate help in case of an emergency (for example, using an emergency button with intercom);
- The required inscriptions, instructions and warnings must be clearly legible and displayed in a visible location in the languages of the region in which the solarium is located;
- The sunbeds must be disinfected at least once a day;
- In each booth, there must be cleaning products that meet the specific requirements for sunbeds (hygiene, dermatological aspects and high temperatures);
- Protective googles must be provided to the clients;
- In the event of a defect, sunbeds must switch off automatically;
- The radiation from a sunbed may in no way exceed a total effective erythema-weighted irradiance (maximum radiant intensity) of 0.3 W/m2;
- The condition of the ultra-violet lamps and filters must be checked according to the frequency of use and at least every three months;
- A receptionist (or operating system) must adapt the intensity and duration of use of a sunbed automatically according to the consumer's skin type, taking into account the characteristics of the sunbed and the lamps used;
- Only one magnetic badge, or similar, may be issued to each individual consumer;
- If the magnetic card is lost, the receptionist must block the old badge in question before issuing a new one to the user;
- A receptionist (or operating system) must ensure that the first of a series of sunbed sessions does not last longer than half of a normal session. Furthermore, checks must be carried out to ensure that there is a delay of at least 48 hours between the first and the second session, and at least 24 hours between the following sessions;
- Access to the sunbeds must be denied to the following clients:
- Clients who are taking medication that increases sensitivity to UV radiation (if in doubt, consult a doctor);
- Clients under the age of 18;
- Clients with a skin type I;
- Clients who have or have had skin cancer.
