Recommended Regulations Being Revised For States
The Conference of Radiation Control Directors (CRCPD), a national organization comprised of directors of the radiation control programs of each state, currently is working on a revision of Draft Part BB, Recommended Regulations For Indoor Tanning Facilities.
If approved, these recommendations will be a set of model regulations available to any state or local authority to use as a starting point for tanning rules.
In existence since 1968, the CRCPD's main purpose is to share knowledge freely between the states while setting national standards for both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation control.
Bob Watkins, senior radiation scientist for the Radiologic Health Program for the state of Massachusetts, is chairperson and coordinator for the non-ionizing section of the CRCPD. Watkins has compiled a group of regulatory and industry professionals to help draft a final version of the recommended regulations.
Leading the group is Amy Sawyer, from North Carolina; joined by Charles Ditmer, of South Carolina; Phil Wilson, of Oregon; and, Rick Mattoon, technical training director for The National Tanning Training Institute and executive editor of LOOKING FIT and SunWellness.
Mattoon's participation has enabled the group to allow the indoor tanning industry a voice in the compilation of the Suggested Regulations.
The current Draft for Tanning Facilities covers the following topics:
BB.1 Purpose And Scope
This part provides for the registration of tanning facilities using ultraviolet lamps along with the regulation of the maintenance of tanning facilities.
BB.2 Definitions
Part BB.2 currently lists 18 terms that are defined to give interested parties a consistent understanding of terminology used in the model of regulations.
BB.3 Exemptions
This part exemplifies most agencies that use ultraviolet emitting devices other than for the cosmetic tanning of human skin.
BB.4 Application For Registration Of Tanning Facilities
This section gives specific guidelines for the registering of tanning devices prior to their use. It summarizes all pertinent information that must be made available to the interested state agency in the registration process. And, this section asks the applicant to provide a copy of operating and safety procedures unique to the tanning facilities operation.
BB.5 Issuance Of Certificate Of Registration
This section simply gives the state the authority to issue a certificate of registration.
Other parts of the original Draft include the
following sections:
BB.6 Expiration Of Certificate Of Registration
BB.7 Renewal Of Certificate Of Registration
BB.8 Report Of Changes
BB.9 Transfer Of Certificate Of Registration
BB.10 Approval Not Implied
BB.11 Denial, Suspension Or Revocation Of Certificate
Registration
BB.12 Construction And Operation Of Tanning Facilities
BB.13 Enforcement Of Penalties
BB.14 Severability
BB.15 Effective Date
One of the biggest changes to the suggested regulations will most likely be a specific address of training requirements.
"In order for the indoor tanning industry to raise its level of professionalism in the eyes of the country while heading-off anti-tanning groups, we must accept the fact that a set of national training guidelines must be set," says Mattoon. "And, because I was invited as a member of the indoor tanning industry to help shape these recommended guidelines, on-lookers must agree that the industry is doing its part in initiating this progress."
As these recommendations move closer to the CRCPD's Regulations Oversight Committee and Executive Board, the more than two dozen states that currently do not have regulations specific to indoor tanning will have a government and industry suggested set of reasonable guidelines.
At this time, it is reported that more than five states are actively visiting the prospect of establishing and enacting regulations that will govern the indoor tanning industry. Because of this, the future of the industry will progress more favorably with reasonably established guidelines that help maintain the integrity of our industry while adhering to policies that ensure the well-being of the tanning public, says Mattoon.
In the past, the FDA has looked favorably on industries that have worked closely with the CRCPD in establishing industry directed guidelines. These guidelines have proved favorable to both the industry at hand and the CRCPD's goal of keeping a watchful eye over the control and standardization of all ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
LOOKING FIT will continue to follow the work of the CRCPD in regard to Recommended Regulation For Tanning Facilities and report back any new progress.
