BBC News - Most sun beds in England fail UK safety limits - study 17 January 2013 Last updated at 01:55 Nine out of 10 sun beds in England fail to meet British and European safety standards, research in the British Journal of Dermatology suggests. The levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by 400 sun beds were on average two times higher than recommended limits, the study found. Researchers warn the number of skin cancers may increase if stricter controls are not put in place. But sun bed manufacturers say regulation is making them safer to use. The Cancer Research UK study examined 402 sun beds across England between 2010 and 2011. We need proper regulation, covering issues like safety of equipment and health warnings for clients End Quote Nina Goad British Association of Dermatologists The researchers also looked at the risk of developing skin cancer from sun beds compared with the risk associated with tanning in the Mediterranean sun. They found the cancer risk from sun beds was more than twice that of spending the same length of time in the midday sunshine. Yinka Ebo, at Cancer Research UK, said: "Research has already shown that using sun beds for the first time before the age of 35 increases the risk of the skin cancer malignant melanoma by 87%. Sun beds are not going to do you any good - the best-case scenario is they will age and damage your skin. The worst-case scenario is a cancer diagnosis and potentially death. Regulation on sun beds came into force in 2009, but the researchers suggest stricter control measures are required to prevent an increase in the number of skin cancers. Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "England is sadly trailing behind the rest of the UK in this matter. We need proper regulation, covering issues like safety of equipment and health warnings for clients. But Gary Lipman, chairman of the Sunbed Association, which represents companies that manufacture and operate tanning stations, said the study findings were out of date. The Sunbed Association has been working with its members, non-members and... local authorities since 2009 to inform them about the change in UV emission levels, and advise how to become compliant. Sun bed users should check with their salon that the sun bed is 0.3 compliant - that means its UV emission levels are guaranteed to be no higher than the midday Mediterranean sun.