22 Hair Dye Substances Prohibited
In Europe, over 60% of women and 5 to 10% of men dye their hair, the average being 6 at 8 colors per year. A move seen as trivial, and yet … It’s hair color could harm our health. A fact highlighted in 2001 by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products in the EU (SCCP) which, in an opinion, indicating that some permanent hair dyes showed the potential risks to health. In a second notice dated December 17, 2002, the same committee had stated that epidemiological evidence showed that regular use and long-term hair dyes by women may be linked to the occurrence of bladder cancer.
Following these two opinions, the Commission had asked producers to provide safety files for their substances. Those records, drawn from scientific evidence must demonstrate the safety of a substance to consumers. In late 2005, 115 cases had been filed.
The first steps are taken today: The European Commission has banned 22 hair dye substances for the sake of improving the safety of consumers, this ban will come into force on 1 December 2006. These are substances for which industry has not submitted any safety files.
This measure is the first step of a general strategy for Member States to establish a positive list of hair dye substances considered safe for human health.
