Hairdressers
What are your legal obligations for displaying prices as a hairdresser or barber?
If you operate a hairdressing or barber business in Ireland, you must comply with the Charges (Hairdressing) Display Order, 1976. The CCPC enforces these rules and can take action for breaches.
The Order requires you to display prices correctly for all services so that consumers can easily compare prices before making a purchase. All price information must be accurate, up-to-date and include all taxes, such as VAT. If the prices you charge differ from those displayed, this is considered a Misleading Price Indication under the Consumer Protection Act 2007. The CCPC can take enforcement action, including issuing compliance notices, for any breaches.
How should you display your prices to comply with the law?
By law, you must display a notice setting out the prices of all your services. If your premises are on the ground floor and adjoin a public thoroughfare, the notice should be outside or in the window, visible from the street. Otherwise, the notice must be displayed immediately inside the entrance. The notice must be legible, with lettering at least 6mm in height and proportionate width.
The CCPC is responsible for enforcing these regulations. If you do not comply, the CCPC may:
- Issue a compliance notice
- Take enforcement action, including fixed payment notices
Where can you find more information and guidance for hairdressers and barbers?
For further details and guidance, you can refer to the following resources:
- Read the full legislation about hairdressers/barbers and price displays.
- Read the regulations on displaying your prices if you also sell products.
- Read more about what businesses should generally look out for when selling services to consumers.
- Find out about the rules on advertising your business.
- Discover what to expect if a consumer decides to take a dispute with you to the Small Claims Court.
