Meeting eBay over body piercing

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Sheffield Heeley MP Meg Munn recently met with Alasdair McGowan, Head of Public Affairs of the trading website eBay. Meg had raised concerns with eBay over the potential risks involved with the trading of equipment used for body piercing and tattooing. She was alerted to a problem by the Tattooing and Piercing Industry Union (TPI) after a small number of occasions when people had contracted Hepatitis C after being tattooed using second hand equipment bought on eBay.

 

Meg said of the meeting:

 

“It was a very positive meeting. eBay do sympathise with our concerns and understand the need to be vigilant with the trading of piercing and tattooing equipment. They urge the public to report any unscrupulous sellers so they can stop them trading on their site. eBay pledged to deal with dodgy dealers and review their policy if needed.”

 

Graham Martin from the TPI who attended the meeting raised the issue of pressure vessel certificates for autoclaves. These certificates are required by law on new products and he was concerned that second hand autoclaves wouldn’t have them. This means that the device could be faulty and potentially put lives at risk. eBay have said they “would be happy to receive comments from the TPI, as well as any details of relevant regulations and official guidance with a view to updating our policy if necessary.”  

 

All parties agreed to work closely together to ensure the safe trading of body piercing and tattooing equipment.