Policy options for proposed controls on commercial solaria

What we did

The New Zealand Ministry of Health engaged us to support the development of proposed controls on commercial solaria (providers of ultraviolet tanning services such as sun beds).

How we did it

Our work involved supporting the development of the Health (Protection) Amendment Bill) and proposing new regulations. This included:

  • Developing policy papers, briefings, and multiple Cabinet papers, on options for new controls
  • Engaging with other government agencies during policy development
  • Developing regulatory impact statements for the Bill and proposed regulations
  • Developing the Departmental report to the Parliamentary Health Select Committee and attending the committee to brief members on proposals
  • Developing collateral for the Minister of Health
  • Developing drafting instructions and commenting on drafts developed by PCO
  • Developing a consultation document on new regulatory control and analysing the submissions received.

As part of this work, analysis was performed on the risks to the population from the use of sunbeds and the economic impact to industry should further controls to commercial solaria be introduced. Options were put forward to the government for different levels of controls.

Benefits for the client

In October 2013, the Government decided to amend the Health Act 1956 to ban the commercial provision of artificial UV tanning services to people under 18 years of age.

Our work involved supporting the development of a Bill (the Health Protection Amendment Bill) and proposed new regulations.

The Bill met the policy objectives set out in the regulatory impact statement. The regulatory impact statement to reduce harm from artificial UV tanning services is published on the Minstry’s website; https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/regulatory-impact-statements/proposed-health-protection-amendment-bill.

In July 2016, the Health (Protection) Amendment Act 2016 was assented. The Act can be found on the New Zealand legislation website; http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2016/0035/latest/DLM6223006.html.