Who Inspects a Beauty Salon in 2026 - PIP, Sanepid, UODO, WIOŚ - What Each Checks

An inspector arrives at your salon. Before you open the door: do you know who it is and what they want to see? Each authority has different powers, checks different documents, and imposes different penalties. If you cannot tell a Sanepid inspector from a PIP inspector, you might hand over documents nobody asked for, or refuse to provide something you are legally obliged to show.

This article covers five authorities that may visit your salon, what each of them checks, and how to behave during an inspection.

Sanepid - State Sanitary Inspectorate

Sanepid checks sanitary and hygiene conditions. It is the authority nail, brow and lash salons encounter most frequently.

What does Sanepid check?

• Sanitary condition of the premises: cleanliness of surfaces, floors, walls, furniture and equipment.
• Sanitary procedure documentation: written decontamination and sterilisation protocols for tools.
• Tool sterilisation: autoclave with documented biological tests (sporal test) and physical parameter records.
• BDO registration and waste management: whether the salon is registered in the BDO system and whether hazardous and medical waste is correctly segregated and collected.
• Client record cards: patch test documentation for procedures with an allergy risk (henna, lamination).
• Disinfectants: whether you use products from the URPL register (Office for Registration of Medicinal Products) rather than general-market products without biocidal authorisation.
• Ventilation: whether there is functioning ventilation in treatment rooms and at workstations using volatile chemicals.
• Restrooms and back-of-house: availability for staff and clients, equipped with soap and disposable towels.

Sanepid's powers

• Entry without notice during salon opening hours.
• Collecting disinfectant samples for testing.
• Issuing on-the-spot fines up to 1,500 PLN.
• Issuing administrative decisions requiring correction of deficiencies within a set deadline.
• Ordering temporary closure in the event of an immediate threat to health.

Documents to prepare for a Sanepid inspection

• Written sanitary procedure (decontamination and sterilisation protocol).
• Sterilisation log (autoclave record with dates, temperatures and test results).
• Biological test results (sporal tests) from recent months.
• SDS cards (safety data sheets) for all chemical products used.
• Client record cards with patch test documentation.
• BDO registration confirmation and contract with the hazardous waste collection company.

PIP - National Labour Inspectorate

PIP enforces employment law. It appears wherever someone is employed or where an employment irregularity has been reported.

What does PIP check?

• Employment contracts or other forms of engagement: whether every person working in the salon has a written contract before starting work.
• Working time register (RCP): whether it is kept, whether it contains start and finish times, breaks and overtime.
• Health and safety training: induction and periodic training, with employees' signatures confirming completion.
• Occupational health examinations: medical certificates for pre-employment and periodic check-ups.
• Wage payments: timeliness, correct amounts, payroll records.
• Overtime: whether it is recorded and whether the applicable supplement is paid.
• Work schedules (rosters): whether they are prepared at least one week in advance.
• Annual leave: leave records, whether the employee has not worked an entire year without leave.

PIP's powers

• Entry without notice to the workplace during operating hours.
• Access to employment documentation (contracts, payroll, RCP, training records).
• Order to suspend work in the event of an immediate threat to life or health.
• On-the-spot fine up to 2,000 PLN or application to court for a penalty up to 30,000 PLN.
• Order to pay outstanding wages.

Documents to prepare for a PIP inspection

• Employment contracts or B2B agreements for every person working in the salon.
• Working time register (RCP) for recent months.
• Health and safety training cards with employees' signatures.
• Pre-employment and periodic occupational health certificates.
• Payroll records or bank transfer confirmations for recent months.
• Work schedules (rosters) from the current settlement period.

UODO - Personal Data Protection Office

UODO checks whether you process clients' personal data in compliance with GDPR. In beauty salons, personal data is everywhere: client record cards, phone databases, before-and-after treatment photos.

What does UODO check?

• Legal grounds for data processing: whether you have the client's written consent or another lawful basis (for example, performance of a contract) for each processing purpose.
• Data security: whether client files are stored in locked cabinets or password-protected computer systems.
• Privacy policy: whether clients are informed about the processing of their data (information clause).
• Data retention: how long you keep data and whether you delete it after the retention period expires.
• Image consent: if you publish photos of clients on social media, whether you have written consent for that use.
• Record of processing activities (required for entities processing data on a larger scale).

UODO's powers

• On-site inspection or remote inspection (requesting documents electronically).
• Warnings and orders to remedy violations.
• Administrative fines: in practice up to 100,000 PLN for small entities, up to 20 million EUR or 4% of annual turnover for larger ones.

Documents to prepare for a UODO inspection

• Client record cards with GDPR information clauses (what you collect, why, for how long, to whom you disclose it).
• The salon's privacy policy.
• Image consent forms (if you publish photos of clients).
• Record of processing activities, where required.

WIOŚ - Regional Environmental Inspectorate

WIOŚ checks waste management. For a nail salon this means primarily hazardous waste: nail files, drill bits, gel and varnish residues, used needles (if you perform mesotherapy), chemical products.

What does WIOŚ check?

• BDO registration: whether the salon is registered in the BDO system as a waste generator.
• Waste transfer cards (KPO): whether every batch of hazardous waste is documented in the BDO system when handed over to the collection company.
• Annual BDO reports: whether you submit the annual report on waste generated.
• Contract with a hazardous waste collection company: a written agreement with an entity authorised to transport and receive hazardous waste.
• On-site waste segregation: whether hazardous waste (codes 18 01 03*, 15 01 10*) is stored separately from municipal waste.

WIOŚ's powers

• Entry to the premises and inspection of BDO documentation.
• Fines up to 50,000 PLN for violations of waste regulations.
• Referral to the prosecutor in cases of serious violations (illegal storage of hazardous waste).

Tax Office (Urząd Skarbowy)

The Tax Office checks tax compliance. In a beauty salon this covers primarily: the fiscal cash register, revenue records, and the correctness of B2B arrangements.

What does the Tax Office check?

• Fiscal cash register: whether every sale of a service to a consumer is recorded and a receipt issued.
• Revenue records: consistency with actual cash flow and card payments.
• Invoices: correct format and timely issue.
• B2B relationships: whether collaboration with self-employed technicians conceals an employment relationship.

How to Behave During an Inspection

Regardless of which authority visits, you have the same core rights and obligations:

• Ask for ID and the written authorisation for the inspection. Every inspector must show their credentials and a named authorisation to inspect your specific premises.
• You have the right to have a representative present. You can call your lawyer or accountant and wait for them before handing over documents (within reasonable limits).
• Take notes of everything. Write down what the inspector requests, what they examine, and what they say. This is important if you later challenge the inspection report.
• Only provide what is specifically requested. Do not hand over documents "just in case". If a Sanepid inspector asks about sanitary procedures, do not immediately produce employment contracts.
• The inspection report: you have the right to read it before signing. You can sign with written objections ("I disagree with point X for the following reasons"). Refusing to sign is noted but does not result in a penalty.

FAQ

Do I have to let an inspector in without a prior appointment?

In principle yes: all the authorities listed have the right to inspect without prior notice during the premises' operating hours. You can ask for a moment to contact your representative, but you cannot refuse entry to an inspector with a valid ID and authorisation.

Can I record the inspection?

You can do so with the inspector's consent or by informing them that you are recording. Recording is not prohibited in practice, but it may affect the tone of the inspection. Written notes are more important.

How quickly must I remedy deficiencies after an inspection?

It depends on the decision. Sanepid typically sets a deadline in the administrative decision (for example, 14 or 30 days). PIP may issue an immediate order (for example, when there is a direct threat) or one with a deadline. Always check the exact deadline in the report and meet it: missing the deadline is grounds for a follow-up inspection and higher penalties.

What if the inspector demands a document I do not have?

Tell them directly. Do not lie or promise that you "have it somewhere". The missing document will be noted in the report. It is better to acknowledge the gap and ask for a deadline to produce the document than to try to hide the problem or present a document backdated after the inspection.