Traceability guide for tattoo studios in Austria

Step 1: Receiving and sorting instruments

At the end of each session, reusable instruments (tubes, grips, forceps) are immediately placed in a pre-disinfection tray with enzymatic or detergent-disinfectant solution. Single-use instruments (needles, tips, ink cups) are disposed of in the regulated waste container per Anlage 1 ARFKMV. Never mix the two categories. Immediate separation protects staff during subsequent handling and prevents cross-contamination.

Step 2: Cleaning and packaging

After pre-disinfection (duration depends on the product, typically 15-30 minutes), instruments are rinsed with clean water, thoroughly dried, and placed in sterilization pouches (heat-sealable paper/plastic). Each pouch is sealed and marked with a process indicator (autoclave tape). Thorough drying before packaging is essential -- moisture trapped inside a pouch compromises packaging integrity and sterilization efficacy.

Step 3: Autoclave cycle

Pouches are loaded into the autoclave following the manufacturer's loading instructions (do not overload, do not stack pouches). The recommended cycle is 121°C / 15 min OR 134°C / 3 min with saturated steam (original Anlage to ARPTV BGBl. II Nr. 141/2003). The autoclave generates a report at the end of the cycle -- this report is the proof that sterilization parameters were reached. The federal-uniform ARFKMV requires a standards-compliant sterilizer; in practice this means Class B per ÖNORM EN 13060:2025-10-15. ÖNORM EN 17169:2020 ("Tattooing -- Safe and hygienic practice") describes the corresponding requirements for tattoo studios.

Before the first load of the day, run a Bowie-Dick or Helix test to verify steam penetration.

Step 4: Labeling and use-by date

After the cycle, each pouch receives a traceability label showing: the cycle number, the sterilization date, the use-by date (typically 1-2 months for a single-layer pouch), and the identification of the contents. With traceability software like SecuSteri, the label includes a QR code linking the pouch directly to the autoclave cycle report.

The pouch is opened in front of the client to demonstrate that the instrument is sterilized and within its use-by date. This is particularly important in tattoo and piercing, where client trust depends on process transparency.

Step 5: Storage

Sterilized pouches are stored in a clean, dry, enclosed space away from dust. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle applies: the oldest pouches are used first. The storage area must be separated from the work area -- Anlage 1 ARFKMV requires a clear separation between the contaminated zone (pre-disinfection), the clean zone (packaging and autoclave), and the sterile storage area. The treatment room (Eingriffsraum) must be used exclusively for tattooing, separated from reception and waiting areas.

Step 6: Recording and archiving

Each cycle is recorded with: date, time, cycle number, parameters (temperature, pressure, duration), result (pass/fail), and operator identity. The autoclave report is retained (in paper or digital format). Under § 5 ARPTV, records must be retained for a minimum of 10 years -- a substantially longer retention period than in many other countries. The Hygieneplan must clearly define documentation obligations.

Additionally, each tattoo or piercing session must document: client data (name, identification document, signed informed consent per ARPTV, age verification per § 2 ARPTV), description of the work performed, instruments used (with reference to the sterilization cycle), inks or products used (batch number, manufacturer, compliance with EU REACH Regulation 1907/2006 Annex XVII Entry 75 -- Pigment Blue 15:3 and Pigment Green 7 banned since 4 January 2023), and any incidents. Hepatitis B vaccination of the tattoo artist is mandatory per Anlage 1 ARFKMV.

The regulatory landscape: 9 Bundesländer, one federally uniform framework

Unlike Germany, Austria has no Bundesland-specific hygiene regulations for tattooing, piercing, or permanent makeup. The federal-uniform ARPTV (Ausübungsregeln für das Piercen und Tätowieren, BGBl. II Nr. 141/2003 idgF) and ARFKMV (Ausübungsregeln für Fußpflege, Kosmetik und Massage, BGBl. II Nr. 262/2008 idgF) apply identically nationwide. § 1 Abs. 2 ARPTV explicitly states: "Zum Tätowieren zählt auch das Anbringen von Permanent-Make-Up." -- so PMU falls under the same framework.

The central compliance obligation is the annual Unbedenklichkeitsnachweis (UbN) under § 4 ARFKMV: a current (no older than 12 months) certificate issued by an Akkreditierung Austria-accredited body (e.g., HygCen Austria, WHU GmbH) must be available for presentation to the authority at any time. Failure to present the UbN is punishable and may lead to revocation of the Gewerbeberechtigung. For piercers, an additional layer applies: piercing is a regulated trade (reglementiertes Gewerbe) under § 94 Z 42 GewO 1994 -- the Befähigungsnachweis is a prerequisite for the Gewerbeberechtigung. For tattoo artists working at conventions or guest spots, the same federal framework applies everywhere -- a digital, portable register like SecuSteri makes it possible to demonstrate compliance to any Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde inspection, regardless of location.

Common mistakes

Not filling in the record immediately after the cycle (forgetting). Not marking the use-by date on the pouch. Storing pouches in an open or humidity-exposed drawer. Not performing the daily Bowie-Dick test. Not keeping autoclave reports. Using a pouch past its use-by date without reprocessing. Not documenting inks with batch number and REACH compliance. Not obtaining informed consent from the client before each session. Not noting the date of the next annual Unbedenklichkeitsnachweis in the Hygieneplan.

Related resources