New Cen European Standards On Cosmetic Surgery

CEN has published a new European Standard on cosmetic surgery for 33 European countries.

CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, is an association that brings together the national standardization bodies of 33 European countries. It provides a platform for the development of European Standards on products, materials, services and processes. European Standards are based on a consensus and monitored by each national body.

CEN has published a new European Standard on cosmetic surgery (EN 16372). This standard will help to improve the quality, enhance the safety and satisfaction of patients, and reduce the risk of complications.

The market for cosmetic surgery interventions has grown. The increased availability of affordable travel and the Internet mean that medical tourism for cosmetic surgery has become a reality. There is a rising need to ensure that patients are fully informed and able to rely on safe interventions, whether at home or abroad.

The new European Standard (EN 16372) addresses requirements for surgical services provided to patients who wish to change their physical appearance. This new voluntary standard provides requirements and recommendations in relation to services provided by cosmetic surgery practitioners. These recommendations concern various aspects such as: ethics and marketing, information provided to patients, competencies of the surgeons, the consultation procedure, requirements for clinical facilities and post-operative follow-up.

CEN members in 33 European countries will publish this standard at national level by the end of June 2015.

Dr Johann Umschaden states: “The new European Standard defines a high level of quality for cosmetic surgery services and provides the basis for optimal patient safety”.

Dr Ivar van Heijningen adds: “This European Standard is a landmark for health care services, especially considering the cross-border mobility of patients in Europe. Whether they are being treated in their own country or abroad, patients expect to be treated by competent practitioners in a safe environment and to be informed about relevant issues related to their treatment, including risks. As some EU member states have specific regulations on cosmetic surgery, but most do not, the gap can now be closed by the voluntary European Standard for the mutual benefit of practitioners and patients.”

Dr Johann Umschaden adds: “Even if there are specific regulations in some EU Member States on, some of them are lacking in terms of hygienic, technical issues, or they do not include a risk analysis. Recent reports on incidents emphasize the importance of this comprehensive European Standard.”

CEN is developing a separate European Standard in relation to non-surgical medical procedures.