EU to ban 22 chemicals used in hair dye

TWENTY-TWO chemicals used in hair colourings will be banned by the end of the year, Europe’s Industry Commissioner said yesterday.

It’s the first step in creating a list of safe hair dyes following fears that some may contribute to bladder and blood cancers.

About 60% of European women and up to 10% of men colour their hair an average of eight times a year at a cost of €2.6 billion.

The pan-European consumers group BEUC yesterday welcomed the move and said it was very important to be sure that chemicals that come in contact with the skin are safe.

However, it emerged yesterday that most of the chemicals on the banned list are not used by hair dye manufacturers.

EU member countries agreed three years ago to draw up a list of safe hair colourings by the end of December 2007. Those not on the planned new list will be banned.

A year ago, companies submitted evidence showing 115 chemicals they use do not pose a health risk. EU scientists expect to have the reports evaluated by October when any found to be dangerous will also be banned.

The commission put the 22 ingredients on the ban list yesterday because companies gave no information on their safety.

A spokesperson for Industry Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said: “Substances, for which there is no proof they are safe, will disappear from the market.”