Body Art Model Code

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) has announced the release of the updated NEHA Body Art Model Code (BAMC).

In the time since the original code was released, more than 20 years ago, body art has become much more accepted, diverse, and popular.

In the Spring of 2016, NEHA began working with subject matter expert and national partners to develop an updated BAMC. The updated BAMC was created with input from environmental health and industry professionals, and addresses the ways body art impacts public health, both old and new. The BAMC is available for local and state agencies and other organizations to use as a resource to update their own body art codes and protect public health.

It was both an honor and a pleasure to contribute to both the original and updated versions. Especially the sections on jewelry and sterilization standards.

Brian W Skellie, APP Medical Director

The enormous task of updating a twenty-year-old code was accomplished by a dedicated committee of regulators and industry professionals and supported by numerous association, 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 for their contributions.

NEHA Body Art Committee  

Laurel Arrigona 
Regulatory, Ceutical Labs, Inc. 
AFDO Body Art Committee Chair 
https://www.afdo.org/committees/body-art-commitee/
Body Art Education Alliance Chair 

Kate Ciampi Shergold 
Executive Director 
Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals 
https://www.spcp.org

Cathy Montie  
Body Art Training Company  
OSHA Authorized Industry Specific Trainer 
https://cathymontie.com/

Michael Crea, M.S. 
Executive Director, Florida Environmental Health Association 
Body Piercer & Body Art Trainer 

Ken Coleman Stevenson II 
VP Regulatory, Ceutical Labs 
AFDO Body Art Committee Chair 
Body Art Education Alliance Chair 

Girvin Liggans, Ph.D., REHS, DAAS 
Technical Lead, Retail Food Policy 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

Matt Bavougian 
Onyx Piercing Studio – Owner / Senior Piercer
https://www.onyxpiercing.com/
Association of Professional Piercers (APP), Legislation and Regulatory Affairs Committee Chair
https://safepiercing.org/
Body Art Education Alliance, Co-Chair

John Misock  
US Food and Drug Administration, Retired 

Carolynn Balcar 
Environmental Consultant   
Florida Department of Health 
State Health Office 

Steve Joyner 
Association of Professional Piercers 
Legislation and Regulatory Affairs Chair 

Brian W Skellie 
Medical Liaison 
Association of Professional Piercers 
ASTM International Committee F04 Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices 
https://brianskellie.com/

John Johnson 
OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer
Association of Professional Piercers 

Michelle E. Watkins, REHS    
Program Manager 
Division of Environmental Health and Protection 
St. Charles County Government — Department of Public Health 

Katherine Martinez, REHS 
Sanitarian 
Environmental Health Division  
Kent County Health Department 

Visit the NEHA Body Art page to read the BAMC and for more information and other resources.

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