Skip to main content
↑
  1. BAAPS Home
  2. Media
  3. Press Releases
  4. A Brussels facelift: European regulations for cosmetic surgery to be introduced

A Brussels facelift: European regulations for cosmetic surgery to be introduced

British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons to Help Set Guidelines

08 June 2010 (Last updated: 26 Mar 2019 14:16)

London – 8 June, 2010 – After years of calling for tighter controls in cosmetic surgery in Britain, top UK surgeons are delighted to provide key input at a new committee in Brussels, so that Europe-wide standards can finally be introduced in this sector. The President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, has been invited to participate in the creation of these cutting-edge regulations.

The market of aesthetic procedures – known generally as cosmetic surgery, though it involves non-surgical treatments - has increased dramatically over the last years, including through the recession. The growing availability of travel, the Web and numerous financial payment facilities also mean that medical tourism in this area has also become a reality.

According to consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS President Nigel Mercer, who last week attended the EASAPS (European Association of Societies of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) meeting in Germany where a vote was held in favour of establishing standards;

“The UK, as many other countries, has so far failed to put in place adequate regulations or standards to protect the public from unscrupulous providers who are mainly preoccupied with profit. Therefore I will be delighted to join the new Project Committee for Aesthetic Surgery Services and help design a solid Europe-wide framework which will ensure patients can rely on safe treatment and facilities wherever they might be.”

The CEN – the European Committee for Standardisation – has recently accepted the proposal from the Austrian Standards Institute (ASI) to create a new Project Committee, CEN/TC 403 “Project Committee- Aesthetic surgery services”, the aim of which is to elaborate European standards for aesthetic surgery services. Other organisations involved include in this project include the Care Quality Commission, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia   and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

 

View other press releases