The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE), at Machinery Directive Administrative Cooperation meeting, brought a problem to the attention of semi-permanent make up equipment sold in the European market, that may pose a health risk due to microbiological contamination. Considering that body adornment techniques are becoming increasingly popular, a study was carried out to evaluate the technical characteristics of such equipment and to collect information on the National and European regulatory situation. In most member states of the European Community, tattooing and semi-permanent make up activities are not regulated by specific laws. In Italy, the "Guidelines for safe tattooing and piercing practices" were laid down by the Ministry of Health in 1998 (Notes N. 2.8/156 of 5 February 1998 and n.2.8/633 of 16 July 1998). This paper discusses the need to implement the above guidelines and to harmonize European legislation on the subject.