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RCS England responds to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) warning over ‘unregulated and unlicensed aesthetic procedures’

18 Jun 2025

RCS England responds to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) warning over ‘unregulated and unlicensed aesthetic procedures’

Professor Vivien Lees, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said:

“It is unacceptable that lives are being put at risk by the lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry.

“The current law allows anyone on the GMC register, including those who are not surgeons, to carry out surgical procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), liposuction and eyelid surgery.

“This risk is compounded, as shown by the CTSI’s warnings, by practitioners carrying out non-surgical procedures in non-clinical environments. Without proper training and environment, complications will happen and these can be permanent, changing lives forever.

“It is critical that the Government urgently introduces a licencing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, as well as legislation to restrict the practice of cosmetic surgery to surgeons who hold Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

  1. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has today (18 June 2025) issued ‘a warning over unregulated aesthetic procedures that pose a huge health risk. Find out more at www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/
  1. The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their career. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients. 
  1. Find out more about the Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification.
  1. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6054/6047; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.  

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