Hygiene regulations (Hygieneverordnung) for sharp instruments (such as scissors, blades, razors, tweezers) are subject to strict rules in Germany, especially in trades that work directly on the skin, hair or where blood exposure is possible, such as:
Hairdressing and beauty salons
Pedicure and manicure studios
Tattoo and piercing studios
Key legal frameworks:
| Regulation | Content |
|---|---|
| Infektionsschutzgesetz (IfSG) § 36 | Imposes hygiene requirements on non-medical facilities when dealing with instruments that come into contact with the skin and may cause injuries. |
| Regulation on hygiene and infection prevention in facilities (Hygieneverordnungen of the federal states) | Varies from state to state, but typically requires proper reprocessing and disinfection/sterilisation of reusable instruments. |
| TRBA 250 (biological hazards) | Technical rule for biological agents: guidance on infection prevention in settings that work with sharp or pointed instruments. |
Mandatory and must be available on-site.
It must specify, among other things:
the individual steps of cleaning and disinfection for each type of instrument,
the cleaning and disinfectant products used,
the frequency of cleaning and disinfection,
who is responsible for carrying out each step.
| Type of instrument | Legal requirements |
|---|---|
| Scissors, combs, blades | First mechanical cleaning (water and soap/cleaner), then thermal or chemical disinfection. |
| Skin instruments | For example tweezers, skin knives – must be disinfected at ≥ 80 °C or with at least 70% alcohol or an equivalent approved disinfectant. |
| Razors/ razor blades | Use a new disposable blade for each client, or ensure complete, traceable reprocessing if a reusable system is used. |
| Pedicure instruments | Must be suitable for steam sterilisation (autoclave) or be processed in an approved chemical disinfectant (e.g. Incidin). |
Should be approved and listed in the VAH list (Verbund für Angewandte Hygiene) where possible.
The products used must be recorded in the hygiene plan.
Safety data sheets for each product should be kept and be available on-site.
You should or must record:
the date of reprocessing,
which instrument has been reprocessed,
the method used (thermal, chemical, autoclave, etc.),
the signature or initials of the responsible staff member.
Depending on the federal state, these records are usually kept for 6 to 12 months.
The competent authority can carry out unannounced inspections and may request or check:
the hygiene plan (written concept),
evidence of disinfection / sterilisation of the instruments,
observation of everyday hygiene practice during operation,
instructions for use and storage of disinfectants and instruments.
| Violation | Sanction |
|---|---|
| No written hygiene plan available | Warning / fine of up to 500 €. |
| Use of non-disinfected or inadequately disinfected instruments | Fine of up to 25,000 € and possible temporary closure of the business. |
| Proven infection caused by negligence | Criminal investigation (violation of the IfSG). |
The editorial team of the website makes every effort to provide accurate and well-researched information based on intensive research and multiple sources. However, errors may still occur, and some information may be incomplete or not legally conclusive. Therefore, please treat the information in these articles as an initial point of reference only, and always consult the competent authorities and professional bodies to obtain binding and authoritative information.
