Sunbed law in Scotland
Scotland's sunbed rules sit in the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 and the 2009 sunbed regulations. They ban under-18s and unsupervised use, and they set the health information you must give and display.
What the law requires in Scotland
- No under-18s on a sunbedYou must not let anyone under 18 use a sunbed on your premises, or sell or hire a sunbed to them. Under-18 staff must not use the sunbeds.
- No unsupervised useYou, an employee or an agent must be on the premises while anyone uses a sunbed.
- Health information every sessionGive each client the prescribed information every time they propose to use a sunbed: at least A5, black text on yellow, covering the long and short term risks.
- A3 health warning noticeDisplay a notice at least A3, black characters at least 20 mm high on yellow, where clients will see it. It must read exactly: "Sunbed use may damage your skin and will increase your risk of skin cancer".
Good practice the guidance recommends
- Run Challenge 25: ask anyone who looks under 25 to prove they are 18 or over.
- Accepted ID includes PASS cards, Young Scot cards, passports and photocard driving licences.
- Keep a signed record that each client received the health information, plus staff training records and a refusals log.
- Make sure clients wear appropriate eye protection. The guidance warns of eye damage without it.
Penalties
Breaches are criminal offences, prosecuted through the courts.
You have a defence if you can show you took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence.
How Tannoo is built to help
- Blocks a session for any client under 18.
- Asks staff to confirm the health information was given, every session, and keeps the record Trading Standards advise you to keep.
- Logs which member of staff was supervising.
Common questions
What must the sunbed notice say in Scotland?
"Sunbed use may damage your skin and will increase your risk of skin cancer", on a yellow notice at least A3 with black characters at least 20 mm high.
Are coin-operated sunbeds legal in Scotland?
Not unsupervised. Someone from the business must be on the premises while a sunbed is used.
Sources
- Sunbeds guide for Scotland (Business Companion, Trading Standards)
- Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008, explanatory notes on sunbeds (legislation.gov.uk)
Sunbed law elsewhere
This guide summarises the law as we understand it on 13 October 2026. It is not legal advice. Check the sources above or ask your local council if you are unsure.