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The Programme for Government 2025 – 2026: Building the Best Future for Scotland, was published on 6 May 2025, and includes a proposal for a Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill. The proposals can be found here: Year Five Legislative Programme – Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot
The Government’s aim is to improve standards across the industry. The Bill will introduce new regulations for the delivery of non-surgical cosmetic procedures and ensure that procedures can only be carried out in registered premises by suitably qualified practitioners.
Purpose, objectives and impact
With the rising popularity of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in recent years, practitioners and industry bodies have been calling for regulation to govern the provision of treatments.
Following a recent consultation in respect of the regulation and licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the Scottish Government has proposed a Bill to address concerns around patient safety in aesthetic medicine.
The aim is to promote patient safety by regulating the delivery of non-surgical procedures.
The Bill will ensure that certain procedures are required to be delivered in suitable premises registered with an appropriate body, and it will make provision to support the enforcement of appropriate standards for service providers.
It is hoped that the introduction of the Bill will be a step towards improving the regulations surrounding the industry and will help to improve the quality of non-surgical cosmetics procedures.
The industry is served by both medically qualified and non-medically qualified practitioners. The Bill will assist with the regulation of premises and industry standards to enhance patient safety, as well as offering further clarity to practitioners in respect of their scope of practice.
Summary
Practitioners and industry groups have called for the regulation of non-surgical aesthetic procedures for many years, and the proposed Bill is a step in the right direction in enhancing patient safety.
Our Professional Discipline and Clinical Defence team is well placed to advise on the regulation of aesthetic procedures. Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Cara Docherty, Senior Associate: cdo@bto.co.uk / 0141 221 8012
Caitlyn Sinclair, Trainee Solicitor: csi@bto.co.uk / 0141 221 8012
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