The hairdressing industry has been warned against co-ordinating price increases or new charges.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is concerned about the way in which new prices and charges are being introduced.
The CCPC wrote to both the Irish Hairdressers Association and the Hairdressing Council of Ireland over concerns it had regarding public statements they had made about new potential charges and price increases, which their members may apply as they reopen.
While businesses are entitled to add a charge to cover the cost of PPE for example it's against competition rules for trade associations to coordinate such a charge.
Brian McHugh from the CCPC says: "They cannot oversee co-operation or co-ordination of prices across the industry. Competition law applies and businesses must make their decisions independently."
The Commission says it could influence salons to bring in a charge and sends a message to consumers to expect a charge.
In a statement the Irish Hairdressers Association says it has engaged very constructively with the Commission in the past few days.
It acknowledged that its not its role to make any recommendations on prices as this is a matter for each individual salon owner to decide.
