Brussels, 03/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - To protect health of citizens - in particular those who dye their hair - 24 substances used in hair dyes have been added to the list of substances, use of which will be authorised but restricted, under the terms of an amendment to the European directive on cosmetics (Directive 76/7689/EEC, published in the Official Journal of the EU on Friday 3 August).
The amendment of the directive, formalised by the European Commission on Thursday 2 August, is a simple technical alternation updating the text in line with technical advances. It is based on the findings of an assessment of the health risks of these substances and their reaction product carried out by the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). The list of 24 substances the use of which will henceforth be regulated will now be published at the start of Annex III of the directive.
An estimated 60% of women colour their hair and sales of hair dye products are rising steadily in the EU. This is, then, a matter of some importance.
To date, 180 substances had been banned and 52 subject to restrictions. The adoption of this latest list, the use of 76 substances is now restricted.
These substances have not been banned since, in September 2010, the SCCS found no reason for concern over the genotoxicity or carcinogenicity of hair dyes currently in use in the EU. (AN/transl.rt)