Requirements for hairdressers and barbers in order to meet public health requirements.

Update for Hairdressers and Barbers: Changes to Health (Hairdresser) Regulations 1980.

The Government has announced that the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 will be revoked effective 31 July 2025.

This decision follows a review led by the Ministry for Regulation, which found the regulations to be outdated, inconsistently enforced, and no longer effective in promoting public health and safety.

What This Means for Hairdressers and Barbers

  • From 31 July 2025, the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980 will be fully revoked and can no longer be enforced.
  • New businesses will no longer need to register with the Council as a hairdresser or barber under these regulations.
  • The Council has stopped processing registrations and renewals, and will no longer conduct routine inspections related to the revoked regulations.
  • The Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966 will also no longer apply to hairdressers and barbers (although it remains in place for other industries).

What Still Applies to Hairdressers and Barbers

While the specific regulations are being removed, hairdressing and barbering businesses must continue to meet general health and safety requirements, including:

  • Health Act 1956
  • Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
  • Local building and planning rules
  • Public Health Guidance for Hairdressers and Barbers

The Ministry of Health has provided Public Health Guidance for Hairdressers and Barbers.

Environmental Health Officers may still inspect your premises under the Health Act 1956 if a complaint is made regarding unsafe or unhygienic conditions.

Trade Waste

Trade Waste compliance is implemented by the Selwyn District Council pursuant to sections 145(a) and (b) and 146(a)(iii) of the Local Government Act 2002 through the Selwyn District Council Trade Waste Bylaw 2021.

The Trade Waste Bylaw sets out rules for controlling the amount and quality of trade waste discharged to the sewer, please click here for further information.If you have any questions regarding your trade waste permit, please contact Council either by phone on 03 347 2800 or email water.services@selwyn.govt.nz.

Backflow Prevention

The Building Act 2004 requires all buildings to have safe and adequate water supply. The Health Act 1956, and the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007, section 69ZZZ “Protecting water supplies from the risk of backflow” authorises the Council to enforce backflow prevention, please click here for further information.

If you have any questions regarding backflow prevention requirements, please contact us here.