Regulation Issues
Despite how people feel about regulation, whether it is on a national scale as imposed by the Food and Drug Administration, or on a state or local level, it never was designed to be a thorn in the business owner’s side. The ultimate aim of regulatory agencies is to protect consumers from those who are out to make a quick buck at the expense and possible danger of the consumer.
For those who are interested in providing secure, useful products and the longevity of the industry as a whole, regulations are a welcomed development. As tanning continues to be a part of image-conscious America, the FDA and state agencies continue to keep a watchful eye over the industry.
Locating rules and regulations, especially those from federal agencies, can be a time-consuming and difficult task, and for this reason we have designed this section to help salon owners understand what the FDA requires and its role in our industry. It contains all FDA regulations that apply to indoor tanning.
In addition, a draft of a model set of state regulations written by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) also is included to give an idea of what typical state rules might include. In addition to these rules and regulations, salon owners and equipment manufacturers also should pay attention to the electrical testing laboratories. UL and ETL are non-profit testing laboratories whose goals are to protect the consumer.
On Oct. 1, 2003, the FDA requested and was given the go-ahead to develop amendments to the U.S. performance standard for sunlamp products based on certain initiatives of international standards organizations concerning sunlamp products. This came after the FDA’s Technical Electronic Product Radiation Safety Standards Committee (TEPRSSC) heard a proposal Oct. 1, 2003, for rule changes associated with indoor tanning products. Current rules that are being considered for change include revised warning labels, addition of warning labels to all indoor tanning purchasing information, modification of the definition of eyewear, more stringent limits on eyewear effectiveness, adoption of maximum timer setting of 3 MEDs, and implementation of coding systems for sunlamps. Before final acceptance of any changes, FDA must submit a proposal for final acceptance. The public comment period has not yet been established. The next TEPRSSC meeting is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2006.
This chapter also includes the strict rules the FDA has made concerning protective eyewear. The FDA requires salons to provide this service to tanners; however, enforcing its use is another story. This section will provide you with the tools to educate your customers about the importance of protecting their eyes during the tanning process.
