Why accreditation matters
Choosing to have an aesthetic surgical procedure is a personal decision — and one that should always start with safety. Across Europe, many people assume that every clinic offering surgery is properly regulated, but that’s not always true.
Procedures are sometimes carried out in non-medical environments such as beauty salons or wellness centres, where hygiene, monitoring, and emergency readiness are below medical standards.
To help patients make informed decisions, the European Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ESAPS)created realplasticsurgeon.eu — a public platform where anyone can verify whether their doctor is a qualified plastic surgeon.
This article explains the next step: how to check that the facility itself is accredited and meets recognised European safety standards.
What is an accredited facility?
An accredited facility is a medical clinic or hospital officially inspected by national, European, or international authorities. Accreditation certifies that the facility meets strict standards for:
- Patient safety and infection control
- Qualified medical and nursing staff
- Properly equipped operating theatres and procedure rooms
- Emergency preparedness and anaesthesia safety
- Transparent patient information and ethical practice
Accreditation may be granted by:
- National health authorities, through formal licensing systems, or
- Recognised international bodies such as QuadA (Global Accreditation Authority) or JCI (Joint Commission International).
Accredited facilities undergo regular audits and must maintain high levels of safety, documentation, and staff training.
European safety standards
The official European benchmark for aesthetic surgery is EN 16372:2014 – Aesthetic Surgery Services, adopted by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
It defines the minimum requirements that every responsible facility should meet, focusing on three key areas:
- Qualified professionals
- Only trained and licensed surgeons may perform aesthetic surgery.
- Practitioners must have recognised specialist training in the country where they practise and maintain continuous medical education.
- Delegating surgery to non-qualified staff is prohibited.
- Safe and well-equipped facilities
- Operating theatres must be sterile, ventilated, temperature-controlled, and fitted with appropriate lighting, emergency power, oxygen, suction, and monitoring devices.
- Procedure rooms for minor surgery must also meet defined size, hygiene, and equipment standards.
- Emergency equipment, defibrillators, and resuscitation drugs must always be available.
- There must be a transfer agreement with an accredited hospital for complications or emergencies.
- Transparent and ethical patient management
- Clear consultation and consent procedures, a minimum “cooling-off” period before surgery, and honest discussion of risks and costs.
- Detailed patient documentation, follow-up protocols, and confidentiality safeguards.
- Marketing and advertising must be factual, responsible, and free of misleading claims.
These requirements form the European baseline for safety and ethics in aesthetic surgery. National laws may impose additional conditions, but any facility complying with EN 16372 can be considered medically reliable.
Why non-medical environments are risky
Some beauty salons and unlicensed “aesthetic centres” offer surgical procedures in settings that look professional but lack the required medical infrastructure. Common risks include:
- Infections from inadequate sterilization
- Complications without trained medical response
- Use of unregulated products or implants
- No insurance coverage or follow-up care
Even minor surgery can result in serious harm if performed outside an accredited medical environment.
Aesthetic surgery is real surgery — it must only be performed where proper safety systems are in place.
How to verify a clinic’s accreditation
Before booking a procedure, take these practical steps:
- Check your surgeon: Use realplasticsurgeon.eu to confirm that your doctor is a recognised plastic surgeon.
- Ask about accreditation: “Is your facility accredited, and by whom?” Clinics should show valid certification.
- Look for official signs: Accreditation by QuadA, JCI, or national health authorities should be clearly displayed.
- Confirm the address: Accredited centres operate from licensed medical premises — never from beauty salons or private homes.
- Check official lists: Many national authorities publish directories of approved facilities.
- Assess transparency: Accredited clinics explain risks, recovery, and follow-up clearly.
- Trust your instincts: If answers are vague or evasive, consider another provider.
What accreditation means for you
Accreditation ensures that:
- Your surgeon works in a controlled, hospital-grade environment.
- Equipment and staff meet verified European standards.
- There is emergency backup and accountability.
- Your treatment follows a regulated quality and hygiene system.
Choosing an accredited facility significantly lowers the risk of complications and improves your chances of a safe and satisfactory result.
ESAPS and patient safety
ESAPS represents Europe’s leading board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons.
Through initiatives like realplasticsurgeon.eu, ESAPS promotes patient awareness, ethical practice, and harmonised standards across Europe.
Understanding and recognising accredited facilities is part of that mission — empowering patients to make informed, confident choices.
Conclusion
Where you have your surgery is just as important as who performs it.
Accredited facilities protect your health, your results, and your peace of mind.
Before any procedure:
✔ Verify your surgeon’s qualifications at realplasticsurgeon.eu
✔ Confirm that the clinic meets European accreditation standards (EN 16372)
Your safety is worth it.