Hairdressing Rules From 1980s Set To Go
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- Cabinet has agreed to scrap all hairdressing regulations introduced under the 1980 Health Act
- Industry rules like banning refreshments and dogs in salons will no longer apply from July
- Government expects the changes will save the hair and barbering sector about $1 million annually
Separate hairdressing regulations dating back to 1980 will be scrapped from July, following Cabinet’s approval of all four recommendations from a review into the industry’s rules. The move is expected to cut red tape and save salon owners significant costs.
The Ministry for Regulation, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, led the review. It assessed whether any existing rules were outdated or unnecessarily holding the hairdressing and barbering industry back. Among the now-revoked rules were those banning refreshments being served to clients, prohibiting dogs from salons unless they were guide dogs, and dictating specific seat spacing and lighting levels.
Minister for Regulation David Seymour, who announced the changes, said the industry was being freed from unnecessary bureaucracy. “This is buzz cut season for red tape and regulation at salons up and down New Zealand,” he said. “We are taking a serious trim to the amount of pointless bureaucracy, really shaving it back to the scalp.”
According to Seymour, the current regulations were costly, applied inconsistently across councils, and were not making a meaningful difference to public health. He pointed out that fees varied from $140 to nearly $500 depending on location and that health and safety requirements are already covered under other legislation.
“Existing regulations aren’t making a practical difference to safety, but the compliance is frustrating and costly,” Seymour said. “We anticipate that revoking all existing regulations will save the industry a minimum of about $1 million per year.”
Two options were considered for replacing the current system. One suggested using existing legislation and offering new industry guidance. The other proposed a fresh set of risk-based health and hygiene rules. The government opted for the first approach but has left the door open for more targeted regulation in the future if necessary.
The Ministry for Regulation will now work with the Ministry of Health to issue guidance on hygiene, disinfection and sanitation, which will complement existing WorkSafe material. They will also team up with the Ministry of Justice to address alcohol licensing concerns raised during the review process.
The impact of the changes will be assessed in two years, with the Ministry required to report back on whether further regulations are needed. While the review acknowledged some low-level incidents of harm, it concluded that the current regulations were disproportionate to the risks.
Seymour summed it up by saying, “Much like the perm, hairdressing regulations from the 80s are outdated and costly. Freedom is back in style though.”