Member Code of Conduct

Issued pursuant to Rule 14 of the AUPP Constitution

1. Purpose

This Code of Conduct is issued by the Board of Directors of AUPP Ltd (ACN 668 050 637) pursuant to Rule 14 of the AUPP Constitution. It establishes the standards of professional conduct and ethics required of all AUPP Members.

Adherence to this Code is a condition of membership. Non-compliance may result in suspension or termination of membership in accordance with Rule 15 of the Constitution.

2. Mission Alignment

The Australasian United Professional Piercers (AUPP) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the dissemination of vital health and safety information about body piercing in Australia and New Zealand.

Members are expected to embody this mission through professional practice, ongoing education, and ethical conduct both within their studios and in their interactions with the broader piercing community.

3. Values and Ethics

Piercing industry professionals hold a position of trust with the public and those seeking piercing services. AUPP Members commit to upholding the following core values:

  • Health and Safety: Prioritising client wellbeing through safe practices and environments
  • Education: Commitment to continuous learning and sharing knowledge
  • Integrity: Honest representation of skills, qualifications, and standards
  • Professionalism: Maintaining conduct that reflects positively on the industry
  • Community: Supporting fellow practitioners and contributing to industry advancement

4. Professional Conduct Standards

By accepting or maintaining AUPP membership, Members agree to the following standards. These requirements operate alongside the detailed AUPP Practitioner Membership Requirements, which set out the full technical and environmental standards for membership.

4.1 Ethical Requirements

  1. I will not use piercing guns (including mechanical, spring-loaded, or hand-pressure systems) in my studio.
  2. I will not offer nipple or genital piercing services (including piercings, jewellery changeovers, and consultations) for clients under the age of 18.
  3. I will not pierce clients under the age of 16 without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
  4. I will not pierce clients who are unable to give informed consent, including infants, toddlers, or intoxicated/drug-affected individuals.
  5. I will provide written and verbal aftercare instructions for all piercing procedures.
  6. I will require completed release forms and verify identification before every piercing procedure.

4.2 Health and Safety Requirements

  1. I will ensure all piercing needles are sterilised, single-use only, and disposed of immediately in a secured sharps container.
  2. I will ensure all reusable tools are appropriately reprocessed and sterilised by autoclave between uses, or are single-use and disposed of immediately.
  3. I will use sterile, single-use, non-latex gloves for piercing procedures and change gloves whenever contamination may have occurred.
  4. I will use appropriate PPE including mask and beard net (if applicable) for piercing procedures with potential bodily fluid risk.
  5. I will perform piercings only in a completely separate, walled procedure room with a door, maintained to AUPP environmental standards.
  6. I will ensure all jewellery for initial piercings is sterilised prior to insertion and meets AUPP minimum jewellery standards.
  7. I will maintain sterilisation testing for all actively used autoclaves in accordance with AUPP requirements (daily helix tests, weekly in-house spore testing, or monthly third-party spore testing).
  8. I will not perform piercings while under the influence of substances that may compromise my ability to work safely.
  9. I will maintain current certification in First Aid, CPR, and Bloodborne Pathogens training as specified in AUPP membership requirements.
  10. I will meet or exceed all health, safety, and legal standards as required by my state, territory, or regional authorities.

4.3 Professional Standards

  1. I will not misrepresent myself, my abilities, qualifications, or my standards in any way.
  2. I will consider and adopt new health and safety information as it becomes available, making appropriate changes to my practice.
  3. I acknowledge the ongoing responsibility to seek out, absorb, and share health and safety information relevant to piercing throughout my career.
  4. I will follow manufacturers’ recommendations for all products, instruments, and equipment used in my practice.

4.4 Workplace Conduct

  1. I will provide a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and abuse of authority.
  2. I will not discriminate against or harass employees, contractors, clients, or others based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age (except where legally required), disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
  3. Declining to perform a piercing based on minimum age requirements, anatomy assessment, or health concerns does not constitute discrimination, provided it is not done to explicitly discriminate against a protected characteristic.

4.5 Conduct Towards the Organisation

  1. I will treat the AUPP, its Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, committee members, and fellow Members with respect and professionalism in all interactions, whether in person, in writing, or online.
  2. I will engage constructively with the AUPP. Legitimate feedback, disagreement, and criticism are welcomed through appropriate channels. Conduct that is abusive, threatening, harassing, defamatory, vexatious, or unreasonably disruptive is not acceptable.
  3. I will not engage in conduct, online or offline, that damages or is likely to damage the reputation of the AUPP, or that brings or is likely to bring the organisation into disrepute.
  4. I will not make public statements that misrepresent AUPP policies, decisions, or positions, or that could reasonably be understood as speaking on behalf of the AUPP unless authorised to do so.
  5. I will respect the confidentiality of internal AUPP matters, including Board discussions, member information, and organisational communications not intended for public distribution.
  6. I understand that breaches of this section may be considered conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Company under Rule 15.4 of the Constitution, and that the Board may take action in accordance with its internal processes and policies.
  7. I will cooperate in good faith with any inquiry, investigation, or process conducted by the AUPP in relation to complaints, membership matters, or alleged breaches of this Code.

4.6 Conduct Towards Others

  1. I understand that my conduct as a Member, online and in person, may reflect on the AUPP and the broader piercing profession.
  2. I will refrain from engaging in harassment, discrimination, abuse, bullying, or intimidation of any person, including clients, industry professionals, and members of the public.

5. Name and Logo Usage

AUPP membership belongs to the individual, not the studio. Members must adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. The AUPP Members’ Logo may only be used in a way that clearly shows membership belongs to the individual Member, not the studio.
  2. The AUPP does not certify or train piercers. The terms “AUPP Certified” or “AUPP Trained” must never be used.
  3. Attendance at AUPP educational events does not constitute certification or membership.
  4. Members using the AUPP logo in print advertising commit to maintaining their membership through the end of that print run.
  5. Members must immediately discontinue use of the AUPP Members’ Logo if membership is discontinued for any reason.
  6. Prior written approval from the Board is required to use the AUPP name or logo in any manner not covered by these guidelines.

Misuse of the AUPP name or logo may result in listing on the AUPP website as misrepresenting membership, suspension or revocation of membership, and/or legal action.

6. Compliance and Enforcement

In accordance with Rules 14 and 15.4 of the AUPP Constitution:

  • This Code is binding on all Members from the date of adoption or membership, whichever is later.
  • The Board may vary, amend, or update this Code at any time.
  • Breach of this Code may be considered conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Company under Rule 15.4.
  • Prior to suspension or expulsion for breach of this Code, the Member will be given at least one week’s notice of the Board meeting at which the matter will be considered, advised of the allegations against them, and given opportunity to respond.
  • Non-payment of fees or levies for more than two calendar months may result in suspension of membership rights or termination, in accordance with Rule 15.1.
  • Concerns or complaints regarding Member conduct may be submitted through the reporting page on the AUPP website.

7. Acknowledgement

By accepting or renewing AUPP membership, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Code of Conduct. I understand that I am required to agree to this Code annually as part of the membership renewal process, and that adherence to this Code and all membership requirements is necessary to maintain membership in good standing.