Scotland to Introduce Aesthetics Regulation Bill by May 2026

It has been announced that Scotland will become the first country in the UK to introduce an aesthetics regulation Bill.

The landscape of UK medical aesthetics is on the cusp of significant change. As we continue to wait for England to act, the new announcement from Scotland underscores the critical need for nationwide sector regulation. 

The Programme for Government 2025-26: Building The Best Future For Scotland, was published on 6th May 2025. It contains details of a landmark Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill that’s set to be introduced during the current session of the Scottish Parliament. 

Here we explore what’s known about this Bill so far…

Please note, this is breaking news so we will update this article as more information becomes available

Scotland to roll out aesthetics regulation as part of new Bill

This pivotal move positions Scotland as the first nation in the UK to formally address the largely unregulated non-surgical cosmetic sector. It’s a historic development with profound implications for aesthetics practitioners across the country.

This proactive legislation directly tackles the pressing concerns surrounding aesthetics regulation and patient safety. However, as this is in its infancy, precise details are thin on the ground and are expected to be released as it progresses through the Scottish Parliament.

The Bill's core objective is to elevate public protection by mandating that non-surgical cosmetic procedure, must meet the following broad criteria.

• Non surgical cosmetic procedures must be performed in appropriately registered premises by appropriate aesthetic practitioners 
• Aesthetic practitioners administering non surgical cosmetic treatments must be qualified, regulated and adhere to enforced standards. 

In the published document, available on the parliamentary website, the relevant section states: ‘This Bill will regulate the delivery of certain non-surgical procedures offered for cosmetic or lifestyle purposes to support the safety of those who undergo the procedures. The Bill will ensure that certain procedures are required to be delivered from suitable premises registered with an appropriate body, and will make provision to support the enforcement of appropriate standards for service providers.’

It’s likely that, as per the first consultation proposals in England, aesthetic treatments will be banded into red/amber/green categories, with different requirements being placed on each.

How long will it take for this aesthetics legislation to become law?

The Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill will be introduced to Scotland by May 2026. 

This is when the current parliamentary session ends. It has been specifically stated that the Bill will be introduced in the current session. However, it’s worth noting that we do not know how long it will take for the Bill to actually pass into law.

The time it takes for a Bill to pass into law in Scotland is variable and depends on several factors. These include the Bill's complexity, the level of scrutiny it receives and political context. 

There are three stages to a Bill being approved in Scotland.

1. A dedicated parliamentary committee will examine the general principles of the Bill as it stands and report back on its findings

2. A detailed, line-by-line examination of the Bill is undertaken by the relevant committee. Amendments may be considered and voted on during this stage

3. Once the Bill is in its final form, it will be debated in the Scottish Parliament. Further amendments may be made at this stage. MPs then vote on whether to pass the Bill.

A further three stages then kick in once a Bill has been passed, before it can be made law.

1. Legal Challenge Period: A four-week period where the UK government's law officers, including the Advocate General for Scotland, can consider the Bill for its compatibility with the devolution settlement and international obligations

2. Royal Assent: If no legal challenges are put forward, the Bill can be submitted for Royal Assent. Once the King has granted this, the Bill becomes an Act and is assigned an ‘asp number’

3. Commencement: The Act may come into force immediately upon Royal Assent, or it can be delayed. In this case, a commencement date can be set by Scottish MPs.

As you can see, this is a multi-stage process so even a ‘quick turnaround’ would take a number of months. One of the most significant factors regarding the timeline for introducing this regulation is the number of changes required.

Any news on aesthetics regulation in England?

Scotland’s commitment to stringent oversight aims to curb the risks associated with the current lack of comprehensive regulation. As you’ll likely know, this is something aesthetic practitioners and the wider public - including beauty professionals - have been calling for, for some time now. 

September 2023 saw the release of the first set of proposals for regulating the non surgical cosmetic sector in England. This included ‘RAG-rating’ procedures and introducing mandatory licences for aesthetics practitioners and for their premises. The public consultation on this ended the same month and there have been no updates since.

In November 2024, the UK Health Minister, Wes Streeting, MP, advised that the government was aware of the importance and urgency of introducing aesthetics regulation for England. He noted in an interview with ITV News, “We know that we need to act”. 

“We are taking this seriously; we are going as fast as we can,” he added. 

However, as of 7th May 2025, there have been no further developments. With Scotland pushing ahead, it looks as if they’ll be the first in the UK to introduce this type of legislation.

The aim is to ensure a higher standard of care for individuals seeking aesthetic treatments, from all angles. This includes health and safety concerns relating to a clinician’s premises, accountability - not just for healthcare professionals - and setting the level of education and qualification required to work as an aesthetic practitioner.

You can learn about where we’ve got to with the proposed aesthetics licensing scheme for England, in our previous articles about regulation.

Will non-medics be able to offer aesthetics services following legislation?

Scotland’s impending legislation includes robust provisions designed to bolster the enforcement of standards for aesthetics service providers. This focus on accountability is crucial for minimising the potential for harm and fostering widespread consistent, high-quality outcomes. However, it’ll be interesting to see how this is addressed. 

Both England and Scotland have previously proposed non-medics being allowed to administer aesthetic treatments ‘with supervision’. This includes botox and filler treatments. The ‘supervision’ aspect has not yet been defined by either country, other than it being an appropriately trained and qualified medical professional. 

Many healthcare professionals have argued against non-medics being able to practice aesthetic medicine. However, with the government’s positions having been set out in this regard, campaigners - including the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) - have called for this to at a minimum be ‘line of sight’ supervision. This means that the supervising, medically qualified, aesthetics professional must be in the room with the treating clinician. Whether this is what will be required under the Scottish Bill or any forthcoming aesthetics licensing scheme in England, has not been confirmed.

We will be monitoring this closely and will update this article as more details become available.

In the meantime, you can find out more about what was previously proposed in the last update in our previous article, UK Aesthetics Regulation: Scotland Launches New Consultation. This was set out in January 2025.

A greater need for standardisation of quality in aesthetic medicine

With the Bill slated for introduction before May 2026, the Scottish Government's initiative serves as a powerful catalyst for a broader conversation. 

Should we hope for a unified regulatory framework across the UK? This remains to be seen. This groundbreaking step by Scotland definitely throws the urgent need for comprehensive UK aesthetics regulation into sharp relief, though.

For medical aesthetics practitioners nationwide, this development signals a pivotal moment. It underscores the growing imperative for a standardised approach, to:

• Ensure patient safety
• Enhance industry professionalism
• Build greater public trust. 

As Scotland spearheads this regulatory path, it's vital for practitioners across the UK to engage with these developments and advocate for a rigorous, cohesive framework. One that prioritises safety and excellence in the rapidly evolving field of non-surgical aesthetics. 

Standardising aesthetic practice for healthcare professionals

In lieu of any regulation, one way we’ve been working to help aesthetics practitioners across the sector, is by developing the Global Evidence Matrix. 

Known as ‘GEM© by Harley Academy’, this app provides easily accessible, in-your-pocket guidance on the latest evidence-based approaches for every filler treatment. From the aesthetic and vascular risks, to the optimal tool and product selection, to the injection technique and dosing. GEM© uses the most up-to-date science to bring you standardised information, tailored to your experience level and development stage.

This subscription service - which is provided free for 12-months to all trainees on our Level 7 Diploma in Cosmetic Injectables courses - allows you to align your practice with the latest data, whilst saving you time and money. 

We believe this evidence-based approach to facial aesthetics is how all botox and filler courses should be taught. As such, all Harley Academy aesthetics courses are exclusively based on the Global Evidence Matrix framework. This way you can rest assured that you are learning the latest techniques and best practices, aligned to referenced research. 

Not only is this reassuring to you as an injector who wants to maximise safety and outcomes whilst minimising risk. But it’s also a comfort to your patients, when you explain to your approach to them, and can help you to stand out from your competitors.

We will keep you informed as this Bill progresses through the Scottish Parliament, as well as updates on developments in England. Check back for crucial insights into the future of UK aesthetics regulation.

All information correct at time of publication