Since May 10, 2024, hygiene in Romanian beauty salons has followed the Hygiene Norms approved by Order No. 1,648/2024 of the Minister of Health, which replaced the 2007 rules. They say what is used only once, what is disinfected and to which level, what is sterilized, what goes into the log and how waste is collected. This guide gathers the provisions that turn into supplies for a nail, pedicure and beauty salon and ends with a shopping list.
24 hthen resterilizefor instruments sterilized in the salon and not used since the sterilization date (Art. 66).
3 monthssterilization recordshow long the log is kept, on paper or electronically (Art. 62).
1 clientfor single-use itemssingle-use materials and instruments are removed right after use (Art. 32).
Which rules apply to the salon
The Hygiene Norms of March 29, 2024 were approved by Order No. 1,648/2024 of the Minister of Health, published in Romania's Official Gazette No. 330 of April 10, 2024, and have applied since May 10, 2024. They cover beauty salons as well as tattoo, piercing and dermal implant studios, and they replaced the norms approved by Order No. 1,136/2007. For a beauty salon, four parts of the text matter:
The premises Art. 4A separate, marked area for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing instruments, closed cabinets for sterile items, containers for hazardous waste and a first aid kit.
The procedures Art. 5The steps of manicure, pedicure, artificial nails, waxing and facials; manicure and pedicure have 13 points.
The staff Art. 30–31, 36Hand hygiene, gloves, a training course and medical checks at hiring and periodically.
Disinfection and sterilization Ch. VSalons apply the rules of Chapter V (Art. 32): the level required for each item, sterilization and its records.
For hazardous waste, the norms refer to Order No. 1,226/2012 of the Minister of Health, whose technical rules also apply to body beauty studios (Art. 4 of those rules).
What is single-use and what is reused
Single-use materials, instruments, accessories and equipment are used for one client and removed right after use (Art. 32(3) and (4)), and reprocessing them for reuse is prohibited (Art. 62(j)). For every client you therefore use a new file and buffer or a disinfected reusable file, and if you work with pedicure tub liners, slippers, toe separators and disposable couch roll, you change those for every client as well. The tub liners in the catalog measure (52 + 20 + 20) × 45 cm and are changed for every client; the rest are in the manicure and pedicure supplies category.
For every client: files, buffers, tub liners, slippers
Which disinfection level each item needs
The table in Art. 60 sorts salon items by how they come into contact with the client:
| Item | Examples in the norms | What the norms require |
| Tools that touch intact skin, hair, nails or working substances | Plastic or metal spatulas, trays | cleaning + low level |
| Reusable manicure and pedicure items | Reusable nail files, tweezers, manicure bowls, pedicure tubs, nail brushes | intermediate level |
| Items that touch intact mucous membranes or broken skin | Scissors, razors, clippers | cleaning + high level |
| Reusable sharp and pointed items that penetrate deep into the skin | Curettes, razors, scalpel, microblading holder | sterilization |
| Soft materials | Towels, sheets | washing with a thermal disinfection cycle |
| Any surface or soft material splashed with blood or other body fluids | – | intermediate level |
Source: Art. 60 of the Norms approved by Order No. 1,648/2024. Soft materials can also be laundered by a specialized company.
The manicure and pedicure section also requires reusable bowls and instruments to be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized after every session, in line with Chapter V (Art. 5, Section B, point 6). For clippers and curettes you therefore need sterilization pouches and a sterilizer or a specialized sterilization service; for files, bowls and tubs, an instrument disinfectant and an immersion tray. The instruments are in the manicure and pedicure instruments category.
13Art. 5, Section B
Manicure and pedicure: the rules that change your stock
- Before the procedure you examine the client's hands or feet; if the skin around the nails has deep lesions, the procedure is postponed (point 4). The client's skin is washed and disinfected with an authorized antiseptic (point 11).
- For artificial nails you use a new set of single-use gloves for every client (point 3).
- The paraffin bath is cleaned and disinfected after every session, before refilling (point 7).
- For pedicure clients with dermatomycosis you wear single-use gloves, warts are covered, and instruments are sterile and/or single-use and discarded after use (point 9).
- Clients asking for removal of deformed or ingrown nails are referred to a medical specialist (point 8).
- Wax is not applied over open lesions (point 10); wax- or sugar-based products are not reused, and you wear single-use gloves while waxing (Section C).
Hand hygiene and gloves
Art. 30 describes hand hygiene in three steps: washing with antibacterial soap and running drinking water; drying with single-use towels or wipes or with a hand dryer, because reusable cloth towels are prohibited; and disinfection with a biocidal product intended for hands. Hand hygiene is mandatory before and after every procedure and after removing gloves, and the operator's nails are kept short and clean (Art. 31).
The nitrile gloves in the catalog are powder-free and latex-free, 100 per box. Choose material and size with the guide to latex, nitrile or vinyl examination gloves.
Gloves, disinfectant soap, hand disinfectant and paper towels
6Art. 62, mandatory steps
Sterilization in the salon, step by step
If you sterilize on site, you need a specially fitted area and an authorized, approved, CE-marked sterilizer intended for the beauty industry, whose operation is checked at least every 3 months (Art. 62(a) and (b)). The norms also allow instruments to be sterilized by a specialized service (Art. 32(5)). The steps are mandatory:
- CleaningBy hand or in an automatic washer-disinfector.
- DisinfectionWith an instrument disinfectant, used as the manufacturer instructs.
- InspectionYou look at every instrument before packing it.
- PackingIndividually, in packaging approved for sterilization, or in sets for a single procedure; you write the sterilization date and the name of the person who sterilized on the pack.
- SterilizationEvery pack is monitored with chemical or biological indicators; efficacy is checked with the indicators specified by the sterilizer's manufacturer.
- StorageA closed place free of moisture and dust, with controlled access and a posted no-entry notice for unauthorized persons; packs with damaged packaging go back through the process.
24 hours, no longerArt. 66 changes how you plan sterilization: instruments sterilized and stored as the law requires that have not been used within 24 hours of the sterilization date must be sterilized again before use. The exception is pre-sterilized instruments whose packaging, according to the manufacturer, has a shelf life longer than 24 hours. The rule differs from the one for healthcare facilities, described in the guide to
sterilization, autoclaves and pouches.
The PRIMA self-sealing pouches, 150 × 250 mm, have indicators for steam and ethylene oxide. For dry heat (a dry-heat sterilizer) there are nylon pouches, for dry instruments only, and a dedicated indicator tape; whichever sterilizer you use must meet Art. 62(a). See the sterilization pouches category.
Pouches, indicators and boxes for sterilization
The sterilization log
Every cycle is recorded in the sterilization log: date, time, pack contents and the person responsible. Records may be on paper or electronic and are kept for 3 months (Art. 62(h)). Art. 63 adds the type, method and parameters of sterilization, the quantity and type of instruments and the chemical or biological monitoring. The catalog has the PRIMA sterilization log for salons, A4, with 50 numbered sheets.
Disinfectants: what is allowed and how to keep them
- Only biocidal products approved or authorized by the National Commission for Biocidal Products (Art. 32(6)); the salon keeps the product's approval and trade name on file (para. (11)).
- Solutions are prepared and used as the manufacturer instructs, and any container other than the original packaging is labeled with its contents, concentration and preparation date (para. (7) and (8)).
- Do not mix disinfectants of different types (Art. 56).
- A high-level disinfection solution is used for no more than 24 hours or 30 cycles (Art. 58).
| What you disinfect | Product type | Catalog examples |
| Manicure table, chair, treatment bed | Surface disinfectant | Isorapid spray, ready to use; Bionet A15, concentrate |
| Reusable files, tweezers, bowls, tubs | Instrument disinfectant | Orolin-Multisept Plus, with the 1 l immersion tray |
| Hands | Disinfectant soap and hand biocide | Prestisept, with 4% chlorhexidine; Hexid, alcohol-based |
On the label, check the approval, the spectrum of activity and the contact time. The order of disinfection between two clients is in the surface disinfection guide.
Surface and instrument disinfectants
Salon waste
The salon has containers for hazardous waste and means for household waste (Art. 4), and used sharp or cutting instruments and soft materials are collected in dedicated containers (Art. 68); in hairdressing, hair is collected in polyethylene bags, separately (Art. 5, Section D). Hazardous waste is managed under Order No. 1,226/2012 (Art. 32(13)), whose rules require yellow rigid plastic containers for infectious sharps (Art. 17). The details are in the guide to medical waste in the practice.
Waste containers and the first aid kit
Plastic Sharps Waste Container, 1 Liter, PRIMA, Yellow, Disposable, ADR Certified
Plastic Sharps Waste Container, 1 Liter, PRIMA, Yellow, Disposable, ADR Certified
in stock
967Lei
excl. VAT: 7,99 Lei
Plastic Sharps Waste Container, 3 liters, PRIMA, Yellow, Disposable, ADR Certified
Plastic Sharps Waste Container, 3 liters, PRIMA, Yellow, Disposable, ADR Certified
in stock
1355Lei
excl. VAT: 11,20 Lei
Salon supplies checklist
Hands and disinfection 6
- Disinfectant liquid soap1 l
- Hand disinfectant1 l
- C-fold paper towels150 pcs
- Nitrile gloves, by size100 pcs
- Surface disinfectant1 l
- Instrument disinfectant and tray1 l
Sterilization 5
- Sterilization pouches100 pcs
- Chemical indicators250 pcs
- Tests your sterilizer requiresper device
- Sterilization logA4, 50 sheets
- Stainless steel box18 × 8 × 4 cm
For the client 6
- Files and bufferssingle or set
- Pedicure tub liners100 pcs
- Disposable slippers12 pairs
- Toe separators40 pcs
- Cellulose pads 5 × 4 cm1,000 pcs
- Couch roll50–58 cm
Waxing, beauty, safety 6
- Wooden spatulas 150 × 18 mm100 pcs
- Waxing strips 7 × 22 cm100 pcs
- Non-woven headbands100 pcs
- Yellow sharps containers1–3 l
- Waste boxes with liner bag10 l
- First aid kit1 pc
Choose the width and material of the couch roll for your beauty bed with the guide to disposable couch roll. Orders placed by 2:00 p.m. usually ship the same day, and delivery takes 1–2 business days.
Common mistakes
- Reusing a single-use file or bufferThey are for one client only, and reprocessing them is prohibited.
- Sterilizing instruments “for the whole week”Anything not used within 24 hours of sterilization is sterilized again.
- Relying on the tub liner alonePedicure tubs are listed in Art. 60 for intermediate-level disinfection.
- Pouring solution into unlabeled bottlesThe container shows its contents, concentration and preparation date.
- Mixing disinfectantsMixing different types is prohibited.
- Using autoclave pouches in a dry-heat sterilizerDry heat has its own nylon pouches and indicator tapes.
Salon supplies: single-use items, disinfection, sterilization
Files, buffers, tub liners, gloves, disinfectants, sterilization pouches and indicators and waste containers, in the Prima Shop catalog.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a sterilized instrument wait in the salon before use?
No more than 24 hours from the sterilization date. Art. 66 of the norms approved by Order No. 1,648/2024 requires instruments sterilized and not used within 24 hours to be sterilized again before use. The exception is pre-sterilized instruments whose packaging, according to the manufacturer, has a shelf life longer than 24 hours.
Can I have my instruments sterilized by a specialized company?
Yes. Art. 32(5) of the norms allows instruments to be sterilized by a specialized service. If you sterilize in the salon, the sterilizer must be authorized, approved, CE-marked and intended for the beauty industry, and its operation is checked at least every 3 months.
What goes into the sterilization log, and how long do I keep it?
Date, time, pack contents and the person responsible, plus the type, method and parameters of sterilization, the quantity and type of instruments and the chemical or biological monitoring. Records may be on paper or electronic and are kept for 3 months (Art. 62 and 63).
Can nail files be reused?
Reusable files are listed in Art. 60 among the items that receive intermediate-level disinfection. Single-use files and buffers are used for one client and discarded right after use, and reprocessing them is prohibited.
Which disinfectants am I allowed to use in a salon?
Only biocidal products approved or authorized by Romania's National Commission for Biocidal Products. Solutions are prepared and used as the manufacturer instructs, containers other than the original packaging are labeled with contents, concentration and preparation date, and mixing disinfectants of different types is prohibited.
Where do needles, blades and contaminated materials go?
Into dedicated containers. Hazardous waste is collected separately and managed under Order No. 1,226/2012, whose rules also apply to body beauty studios and require yellow rigid plastic containers for infectious sharps.