NEHA Body Art Model Code (BAMC)

Background

In 1998, environmental health professionals and industry experts worked together to develop and release the first NEHA Body Art Model Code (BAMC): the only comprehensive model code that addresses current body art issues and public health risks. In the time since the original Code was released, body art has become much more accepted, diverse, and popular. To address the changes in the field, NEHA updated the 1998 BAMC and re-released it in the winter of 2019. After updating the BAMC in 2019, NEHA’s Body Art Committee (BAC) committed to triennial updates to ensure this vital resource remains relevant and scientifically defensible to best protect public health. Following through on that commitment, NEHA BAC members started the arduous process of updating the BAMC in the fall of 2021.

The enormous task of updating the BAMC was accomplished by a dedicated committee of regulators and industry professionals and supported by numerous associations, including the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, Association of Food and Drug Officials Body Art Committee, Association of Professional Piercers, and the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals. NEHA would like to recognize these individuals and associations for their contributions. The BAMC is available for local and state agencies to use as a resource to develop, or update, their own body art codes.

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