A curated collection of safety, regulatory, and educational resources for tattoo professionals.

APT Statement on the AFDO MoCRA Implementation Working Group (MIWG)
Updated September 28, 2026

The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) replaced its Body Art Committee, which APT's President served on as co-chair, with a private, invitation-only working group on how the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) will be applied, including to tattoo inks.

On March 10, 2026, APT's Board of Directors wrote to AFDO asking how working group members were selected, how stakeholders were invited, and why established practitioner organizations were left out. We offered to take part, share what practitioners know, and meet.

As of September 28, 2026, APT has not received a response.

Our position is simple: rules that affect tattooing should be informed by the people who actually tattoo. We'll keep watching and share what we learn.

 The full letter is available on request from the Home Office. 

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists is aware of recent findings indicating fraudulent and forged documentation associated with a certain studio chain operating on U.S. military bases. This matter is being treated with the seriousness it warrants.

While aspects of this situation remain under active investigation and we cannot discuss specific details at this time, the APT is exhausting all available avenues to ensure accountability. This includes pursuing action within our own scope and actively advocating for additional oversight and corrective measures outside of our organization as we can.

Tattooing in any case, but especially military and government-adjacent environments carry heightened responsibility. Any actions that undermine trust, falsify compliance, or compromise safety are unacceptable and directly conflict with the standards required to protect service members, the public, and the integrity of the profession.

The APT does not engage in silence, deflection, or damage control for the sake of convenience. We exist to advocate for safe, ethical tattooing and to confront misconduct when it arises. Accountability is foundational to public trust and to the future of this trade.

We remain committed to transparency within appropriate legal boundaries and will continue to push for meaningful safeguards and enforcement as this process moves forward.

It is always tragic to hear of someone losing their life, and our deepest sympathies go out to Ricardo Godói’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater awareness around the potential dangers of extreme procedures and the importance of promoting safe practices within the body art and modification community. Ricardo’s story, while tragic, can hopefully inspire others to make informed decisions and prioritize their health above all else.  

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) does not endorse or recommend the use of any form of anesthesia or sedation for tattooing procedures. Extensive tattoo sessions that involve anesthesia and multiple artists are complex unnecessary undertakings. The APT has issued statements on this topic before and our stance has always been against the use of general and local anesthesia or any other type of sedation.  

Anesthesia and sedation introduce additional risks, including possible long-term effects.  

Furthermore, extensive tattooing places significant physical demands on the body and requires meticulous aftercare. Healing from such procedures is challenging enough without adding additional strain on the body.  

Our association remains committed to promoting safe, professional practices within the tattoo trade. We do not endorse the use of anesthesia or sedation for tattooing procedures due to the increased risks and complexities it introduces.