PEIThe province has released draft regulations aimed at improving health and safety standards for personal-care services in Prince Edward Island. Draft regulations would also introduce standardized health and safety requirements Thinh Nguyen · CBC News · Posted: Nov 27, 2025 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 5 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Nail care is one of the personal services on P.E.I. that isn’t regulated and isn’t inspected unless a complaint is made. (Sinisa Jolic/CBC)The province has released draft regulations aimed at improving health and safety standards for personal-care services in Prince Edward Island. Those include hair care, esthetics, nails, piercings, tattooing and body-modification services. Amendments to the Public Health Act related to this sector were passed by the Legislative Assembly in May.The Department of Health and Wellness developed the draft regulations, which would apply to all personal service providers.“We think that Islanders are going to feel very good about this change,” said Tanya O’Brien, the province’s director of environmental health.“We think they’re going to be happy that we are putting these regulations into place and that we are going to be implementing routine inspection schedules with these facilities and upholding the infection prevention and control standards that are outlined in the regulations.”Islanders can read the draft regulations and submit feedback through the province’s website.What are the new rules?O’Brien said that, at the moment, routine inspections are only done at tattoo and needle-piercing facilities, while the rest of the personal services sector is inspected only when a complaint is made or when an operator requests one.“The new proposed regulations will actually establish a routine inspection protocol for all personal services facilities in the province, and they will ensure that the same infection prevention and control standards are applied to all personal services facilities in the province,” she said.Under the proposed regulations, businesses would need to register and provide details such as their location and services offered.There would be a $100 registration fee, which would remain valid for three years before needing renewal, she said.Under the current rules on P.E.I., routine inspections are only done at tattoo and needle-piercing facilities. (Jennifer Dorozio/CBC)O’Brien added that the proposed regulations also spell out the standards required from a business owner to operate a safe, compliant workplace that protects both staff and clients.This includes requirements around things like staff hygiene, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of surfaces and equipment. The regulations would also require operators to follow consistent procedures for equipment and facility maintenance, and to ensure staff are educated on safe practices.All public feedback will be reviewed in early January, and the regulations are expected to come into effect in February, O’Brien said.She noted the department has been training staff to prepare for the new rules, like educating them about the requirements in the legislation and getting them ready to conduct inspections.“Once the regulations take effect, we will be focusing on education primarily to get started, so going into facilities, talking with the staff and the owners, making sure they understand the requirements that are outlined in the regulations,” she said.She added that the department’s staff will also be working on an educational document to help businesses and workers understand the requirements.With files from Camryn Farquharson
Routine inspections may soon expand to all personal services in P.E.I. under proposed rules
