MEPs have approved a communication from the Commission which may lead to more stringent standards and procedures for breast implants.
MEPs were voting on a report prepared by Scottish Labour MEP Catherine Stihler, who stressed that too many "cosmetic cowboys" had ruined the lives of women through poor quality surgery.
In adopting this resolution on breast implants, Parliament takes the view that there is an EU-wide lack of information on the risks of breast implants. MEPs argue that if fuller information on risks was given before surgery, fewer women would opt for implants.
Although there is no call for a complete ban, Parliament is demanding specific measures to improve information for patients, tracking and surveillance after surgery, quality control and key research on silicone breast implants and their components. Implants in women under 18 years of age should be authorised only on medical grounds, say MEPs.
An amendment calls for a patient passport to be designed in which the special characteristics of the implant and post-operative follow-up care measures would be specified.
Finally, Member States are urged to prohibit advertising for breast implants or breast implant operations.
For the Commission, David Byrne announced that information would be gathered from the Member States and a range of measures introduced to improve safety.