Cosmetic surgery

Law no. 2002-303 of 4 March 2002 covers the performance of cosmetic surgery.

Enacting Decree no. 2005-776 of 11 July 2005 and Circular no. DGS/SD2B/DHOS/04/2005-576 of 23 December 2005 set out the conditions of application.

The two main points guaranteeing quality and safety of care are:

Surgeon competence monitoring:

“The surgical operations conducted in the authorised facilities must only be performed by surgeons a speciality or competence for which the universal validity of the medical degree or experience is no substitute”.

“Only qualified practitioners specialising in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery are authorised to practise all acts of cosmetic surgery.

The basic principle that had been violated by “so-called cosmetic” doctors is therefore reaffirmed:

IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A DOCTOR TO PERFORM ACTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY.

The monitoring of authorised facilities:

The Autonomous Cosmetic Surgery Installations (IACE) are obliged to file an authorisation application with the Regional Health Agency by undertaking:

• only to allow qualified surgeons to operate
• not to do any direct or indirect advertising
• to comply with regulations concerning the technical operating conditions
• to reach an agreement with an authorised facility to provide a department for treating emergencies  
• to undertake the certification procedure by the French Health Authority  (HAS).