As of Tuesday 4 January, the new rule restricting the authorisation of toxic chemical substances in tattoo inks and permanent make-up applies in the European Union.
The European Commission’s decision on this issue was adopted in December 2020 under the REACH Regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, and authorisation of chemical products, as well as restriction applicable to these products.
The restriction now in force covers all substances prohibited by the EU Cosmetics Regulation, substances classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) or as skin sensitisers, skin irritants or corrosives, harmful and irritating to the eyes, as well as a list of impurities, aromatic amines and colourants (see EUROPE 12622/6).
Concentration limits are established either for groups of substances or for individual substances such as certain azocolourants and carcinogenic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals and methanol.
The ban on Pigment Blue 15 and Pigment Green 7 will only apply starting 4 January 2023. An additional one-year derogation was granted to give companies more time to find safe alternatives to these two pigments.
According to statistics, 12% of Europeans are tattooed. However, studies have shown evidence of allergies and skin problems due to tattoos. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)