Chapter 270 – Control of Tattooing Act
What is this act about?
This law controls and regulates skin tattooing to ensure it is done safely and legally. It sets rules for who can perform tattoos and who can receive them.
Who it applies to: Anyone who performs tattooing; Anyone who wishes to get a tattoo.
At a glance
- Country
- Malta
- Area of law
- Other legislation
- Articles
- 9
- Source
- legislation.mt
- Text retrieved
- Explanation updated
What does this act regulate?
- The age of individuals who can be tattooed.
- The licensing requirements for tattoo artists.
- The possession of tattooing instruments and materials.
- The conditions under which tattooing may be performed.
Who does this act apply to?
- Anyone who performs tattooing.
- Anyone who wishes to get a tattoo.
What are the key points?
- It is an offence to tattoo anyone under eighteen years of age.
- Tattooing can only be performed by a person holding a valid licence.
- Possession of tattooing instruments or materials without a valid licence is an offence.
- A licence is valid until December 31st of the year it is issued and costs twelve euro and ninety cents (€12.90) to grant or renew.
Other legislation
Legal text
Legal text
CONTROL OF TATTOOING
CHAPTER 270
CONTROL OF TATTOOING ACT To control and regulate skin tattooing. (28th December, 1976)* ACT XL of 1976, as amended by Act XIII of 1983; Legal Notice 423 of 2007; and Act XIII of 2015.
Art. 1
Art. 2
The short title of this Act is the Control of Tattooing Act.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires - Short title.
Interpretation. "licence" means a licence issued under section 6 of this Act; "Minister" means the Minister responsible for public health, and includes, to the extent of the authority given, any person authorised by the Minister in that behalf for any purpose of this Act; "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations under this Act; "relevant time", for the purposes of sections 3 and 5 of this Act, means the time when the tattoo is performed, and, for the purposes of section 4 of this Act, means the time when a person has in his possession or control any of the things duly mentioned in that section; "tattoo" means the insertion into the skin of any colouring material designed to leave a permanent mark; "valid licence" means a licence which is validly issued and which is still in force at the relevant time.
Art. 3
It shall be an offence against this Act to tattoo any person who is under eighteen years of age or to tattoo any other person unless by a person who is in possession of a valid licence.
Art. 4
It shall be an offence against this Act for any person to have in his possession or under his control any instrument, colouring material or other object used for the purpose of tattooing, unless such person is in possession of a valid licence.
Art. 5
Prohibition of tattooing a minor or without a licence.
Possession of tattooing instruments, etc.
No person may be tattooed except by licensed tattooist.
Art. 6
Licence to practise as tattooist.
Amended by:
XIII. 1983.5;
L.N. 423 of 2007;
XIII. 2015.77.
CONTROL OF TATTOOING
Power of entry and inspection.
Art. 7
Regulations.
Amended by:
XIII. 1983.5;
L.N. 423 of 2007.
Art. 8
The Minister may make regulations to give fuller effect to any of the provisions of this Act, and without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid powers, such regulations may (a) provide for the manner and conditions in which and under which tattooing may be performed; (b) provide for the manner in which and the conditions under which any instrument, colouring material or other object used for the purpose of tattooing is to be kept or preserved; (c) provide for offences in respect of any matter for which provision is made by the regulations, and establish punishments in respect of such offences not exceeding a fine (multa) of one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69), or imprisonment for a term of six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment; (d) prescribe anything that may be or is required to be prescribed under this Act.
Offences.
Amended by:
XIII. 1983.5;
L.N. 423 of 2007.
Art. 9
Any person committing an offence against this Act shall be liable (a) on a first conviction to a fine (multa) of not less than one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) but not exceeding four hundred and sixty-five euro and eighty-seven cents (465.87), or to imprisonment for not more than three months, or to both such fine and imprisonment; and (b) on a second or subsequent conviction, to imprisonment CONTROL OF TATTOOING for not less than one month but not exceeding six months and to a fine (multa) of not less than two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94) but not exceeding one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69).