However, Masterton and South Wairarapa district councils both implemented a bylaw in September 2013, forcing local commercial sunbed operators to comply with the guidelines of the voluntary standard, Masterton District Council senior environmental health officer Kaine Jaquiery said.
The bylaw specifies sunbed operators, beauty therapists, nail services, body piercers and tattooists must register with their relevant council.
It also prohibits the sunbed treatment of under-18 customers.
"In Masterton, we currently have one licensed sunbed," he said.
The Auckland bylaw also covers tattooing, body piercing, hair removal and nail services.
A code of practice requires sunbed operators to explain the risks to customers and display warning notices.
A Health Ministry survey last year estimated there were about 140 commercial sunbed operators nationally.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified tanning devices that emit ultraviolet radiation as a cause of cancer in humans. Its analysis shows the risk of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, increased by 75 per cent when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30.
New Zealand has one of the world's highest rates of melanoma, with over 300 deaths each year.
Sunbed industry group Indoor Tanning Industry NZ (INTANZ) said it would like to see the Auckland bylaw rolled out nationwide.
"We've been pushing for this for a long time," spokesman Rene Fouwler said.
"At least it gives the industry a black and white guideline. If it's a law, then there's no excuses."
Cancer Society Auckland chief executive John Loof urged the Government to follow Australia and ban commercial sunbeds completely.
"Sunbeds are dangerous and unnecessary and they significantly increase the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and the risk of developing melanoma at an early age," Mr Loof said. additional reporting APNZ
