About PSA – Piercing Standards Agency
Last updated: 28 May 2025
The Piercing Standards Agency (PSA) was established in 2025 to support safe, professional body piercing across the UK. Built from the ground up by industry professionals, it provides clear, accessible guidance for studios, consumers, and local authorities alike.
Why PSA Was Created
Piercing in the UK is legally regulated at the local council level, but interpretation and enforcement can vary from region to region. PSA was created to fill the gap—offering unified, practical information and supporting resources that align with current best practice.
The goal is simple: to make it easier for everyone involved—whether you’re running a studio, getting a piercing, or regulating businesses—to understand what good piercing practice looks like.
Who PSA Supports
- Piercers and Studios: With access to practical guidance, inspection-ready checklists, and a shared professional framework.
- Clients and Consumers: By providing clarity on what to expect from a professional piercing studio and how to make informed decisions.
- Local Authorities: With reference documents, inspection aids, and consistent language to evaluate studio hygiene, documentation, and setup.
What Is PSA?
PSA is a collaborative and informational body—not a regulator or membership group. It publishes and maintains the PSA Framework for Professional Piercing: a structured collection of guidance, standards, templates, and training material designed to help studios meet the expectations of clients and local authorities.
The Framework includes:
- A Code of Practice
- Studio Standards and Inspection Checklists
- Aftercare and Hygiene Recommendations
- Training Resources and Evidence-Based Guidance
What’s Ahead
PSA continues to grow and respond to the needs of the piercing industry. Future updates will include peer-reviewed content, support for continued professional development, and new formats for guidance, such as workshops, templates, and ready-to-use digital forms.
PSA is open-source in spirit—created for professionals, by professionals—with the aim of lifting the entire UK piercing industry to a higher and more consistent standard.