EAR PIERCING SERVICES

EAR PIERCING SERVICES:

(Administration issues): 10.

Ms Ellen Lee asked the Minister for Health with the rampant administration of ear piercing across Singapore such as that in jewellery shops (a) whether there are reported cases/trend of medical complications related to ear piercing and what recourse is available to aggrieved customers; (b) whether there are laws or regulations in place to regulate the conduct of ear piercing and, if not, whether there is a need to enact such laws; and (c) what are the health and safety standards required of shops in Singapore which offer ear piercing services.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Health): Sir, serious medical complications due to ear piercing, such as infection of the ear cartilage (perichondritis), are uncommon. Over the past three years, for example, each restructured hospital encountered about three cases per year. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) received two complaints of swollen ears due to ear piercing in 2006 and none in 2007 and 2008.

While there is no specific legislation regulating the practice of ear piercing, there are provisions in our law that may apply depending on the facts of the case. For instance, provisions in the Infectious

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Diseases Act and the Penal Code could be used against those who negligently carry out ear piercing procedures.

Consumers should alert the Ministry if they suspect that certain ear piercing services are being carried out in an unsafe or unhygienic manner. The Ministry will monitor the situation and review the need for additional regulatory controls if necessary.

Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang): One supplementary question for the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. Would the Ministry of Health consider implementing a minimum age requirement for all commercial ear piercing activities, that children, perhaps, under 16, must be accompanied by at least one parent when these activities are taking place?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, in different communities, ear piercing is considered differently. In fact, in some communities, ear piercing is considered as customs or a tradition. There is no plan to do such a thing. However, as I said earlier, the Ministry will monitor the situation. If necessary, we will take additional regulatory measures to ensure that public interests are protected.