Introduction
The British Sauna Society exists to promote the physical, mental, and social wellbeing benefits of authentic sauna. Achieving this means making safe, high-quality sauna experiences easier to find across the UK.
As sauna grows in popularity, so does the responsibility to ensure that people encounter experiences that are well-designed, well-run, and genuinely beneficial. Our approvals and review processes are designed to elevate the best sauna experiences in the UK, support learning and improvement across the sector, and involve both members and the public in identifying excellence.
What “Approved Operator” status means.
Approved Operator status indicates that an operator has:
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Submitted a detailed application about their sauna set-up and operating practices
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Been reviewed against the British Sauna Society’s published standards
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Agreed to uphold the Society’s values, standards, and codes of conduct
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Entered an ongoing process of review, accountability, and improvement
Approval is not a statutory licence and not a guarantee of perfection. It is a values-led standard that signals commitment to safe, authentic, and responsible sauna practice. Operator Membership is not a requirement or regulation for operating, but is available as an opt-in for businesses who wish to differentiate themselves with a guarantee of quality, as well as earn more visibility and customers from being discoverable through BSS channels.
The standards we assess and review against.
We will assess and review membership in accordance with the following sections from our Operators’ Charter:
(The full charter is available at https://www.britishsaunasociety.org.uk/operators-charter)
3. Membership values.
Integrity
Business members are expected to represent the best of authentic sauna, upholding the values and ideals of the British Sauna Society. Members are expected to treat each other, their employees and customers with honesty, fairness, respect and kindness. We have a zero tolerance policy for intimidation, bullying and harassment.
Equity
The British Sauna Society Member endeavours to integrate the sauna ethos of quality into its leadership, operations, processes and experiences. Businesses have a voice in the Society through their Council representatives, who will be available for contact. Membership fees are relative to the size of businesses, making membership accessible to start ups and established companies alike.
Community
The first and foremost membership benefit is belonging to a certificated community. It formalises a connection to a growing number of individuals and businesses that love authentic sauna bathing and want to share its enjoyment, health benefits and life-affirming qualities with others.
4. Standards for sauna design.
Operator Members of the British Sauna Society commit to adhering to the following principles of sauna design:
Health and Safety: Ensuring a safe environment with high-quality design and build, proper ventilation, hygiene standards, and maintenance protocols. Saunas should be a safe space, free of judgment and argument, where everyone is welcome to practise sauna peacefully. Adequate hydration is essential, and fresh water should be available free of charge.
Quality Materials and Equipment: Using high-quality, heat-resistant materials in construction to enhance durability and user experience. Prioritising materials with good heat mass characteristics for seating, such as logs, thermally treated hardwood, or low-carbon concrete. Ensuring a powerful stove with a well-stocked supply of rocks to create good löyly (steam - spirit of sauna).
User Experience: Providing well-equipped facilities with adequate space for changing rooms, and storage, showers, and toilets. Cold plunge or other contrast therapy facilities should be available, whilst showers and toilets are ideally located nearby wherever possible. Focusing on comfort and relaxation with appropriate seating arrangements, bench heights, and friendly, attentive service. Guided sauna sessions and rituals should enrich the sauna-goer’s multisensory experience.
Accessibility: Designing saunas that are accessible to all individuals wherever possible, including those with disabilities and wheelchair users, to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits of sauna use.
Sustainability: Implementing eco-friendly practices, such as energy-efficient heating systems and responsible sourcing of materials, to minimise environmental impact.
5. Standards for the sauna experience.
Operator Members pledge to promote and deliver a sauna experience that upholds the following experience principles:
Immersive heat and good steam: Saunas should be equipped with stoves that allow bathers or practitioners to create enjoyable steam (löyly).
Health and safety: Ensuring quality construction that minimises the risk of slips, falls, fires, and burns. Saunas should be well-ventilated, with drained floors and insulated shells for comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.
Cleanliness and hygiene: Maintaining a clean, odour-free space that is regularly cleaned and cared for.
Facilities: Ensuring access to open water, ice baths, cold plunges, or cold showers, as well as outdoor spaces, nature, and fresh air for cooldowns, rest, and relaxation.
Hydration: Providing easy and free access to drinking water for hydration.
Inclusivity: Saunas should be designed for all abilities, creating a safe space free of judgment and argument, where everyone is welcome.
Sustainability: Saunas should be sustainably and responsibly built and operated.
Educated staff: Employing hospitable staff who understand sauna practices and can guide bathers on safe and proper sauna use.
Community engagement: Encouraging communal use that promotes social interaction and wellbeing. Saunas connect everyone.
6. Code of conduct.
All Business Members of the British Sauna Society agree to adhere to the following code of conduct:
Professional integrity: Conduct all sauna-related activities with honesty, transparency, and professionalism.
Safety commitment: Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all bathers by ensuring compliance with safety protocols and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene.
Respect and inclusion: Foster a welcoming and respectful environment for all, irrespective of background, gender, age, or ability.
Sustainability practices: Implement and advocate for environmentally responsible practices in sauna design, construction, and operation.
Knowledge sharing: Promote education about sauna culture, heritage, and health benefits through engagement with customers and the wider community.
Excellence in service: Provide attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly service to enhance the sauna experience for all users.
Cultural sensitivity: Respect and honour the traditions and rituals of global sauna cultures while promoting innovation and accessibility.
Collaboration and community: Actively engage with the sauna community by sharing insights, supporting initiatives, and collaborating with other members to advance the mission of the British Sauna Society.
Accountability: Accept responsibility for any breaches of this code and cooperate fully with any reviews or actions undertaken by the Society.
Concerns & complaints process.
How we handle concerns raised about BSS Operator, Practitioner, and Supplier Members.
The British Sauna Society is committed to upholding high standards of safety, integrity, inclusivity, and professional conduct across authentic sauna practice. Our business members sign up to these standards when they join.
To support this, we maintain a light-touch, fair, and transparent process for handling concerns raised about members. This process is intentionally designed as a last resort. The BSS does not act as an ombudsman or mediator, and we do not intervene in day-to-day operational issues. However, when we receive a significant pattern of feedback that suggests a member may not be meeting the standards of the Society, we will review the matter.
Complaints can be made to the BSS by the public or other BSS members via the form on our website:
https://www.britishsaunasociety.org.uk/complaints
Below is how the process works.
1. Raising a concern.
If a bather, client, or member of the public has a concern about a BSS member, they can submit it using the BSS Feedback QR Code and form.
BSS members must display this QR code (which will be mailed to them with membership certificates) or direct complaints to the form on the BSS site in the following locations:
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Onsite at the sauna
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On booking emails or follow-ups
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On the business’s or practitioner’s website
Each submission is logged confidentially and reviewed periodically by the BSS team. We do not respond to individual complaints and we do not adjudicate one-off disputes.
This system helps us understand broader patterns, rather than isolated frustrations.
2. When BSS becomes involved.
We intervene only when we see:
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A substantial number of complaints about the same member related to safety, conduct, or standards
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Issues that appear to breach the BSS Operators’ or Practitioners’ Charters
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Concerns that may impact public trust in the BSS approval system
When this threshold is met, we will contact the member directly.
3. Early-stage review.
If we reach a level of concern that warrants engagement, the BSS will:
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Notify the member that concerns have been raised
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Summarise the nature of the issues (without identifying individuals)
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Invite the member to respond, clarify context, and outline what actions they are taking to improve
Our goal at this stage is constructive improvement, not punishment.
We will then temporarily pause involvement to allow the member to apply any changes or corrective actions within their own operations.
4. Continuing concerns.
If further complaints continue to be received after the initial review period, or if the concerns relate to values or standards central to the Society, we may move to a more formal stage.
This may include:
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A second request for response or explanation
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A period of monitoring
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Advice or recommendations
If issues persist, we may escalate the case.
5. Membership review panel.
Where concerns remain unresolved or continue to accumulate, the matter may be referred to a membership review panel. This panel will:
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Assess the pattern and severity of concerns
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Consider the member’s responses
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Review alignment with BSS standards, values, and charters
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Determine whether membership should continue, be suspended, or be withdrawn
The member will be notified of the panel’s decision. All decisions are taken in good faith, with fairness, consistency, and the integrity of the wider community in mind.