New Hair Dye Directive 2012/21/EU: Restricted Use of 24 Substances in Hair Dyes

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 30, 2012 - Following the publication of a scientific study in 2001 entitled “Use of permanent hair dyes and bladder cancer risk”, the Scientific Committee for Consumer Products (SCCP) concluded that such risks were of concern. The SCCP recommended that the Commission take further steps to control the use of hair dye substances. The SCCP, subsequently replaced by the existing Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), set up an expert panel to assess the safety of individual substances for which updated files have been submitted by the hair dye industry.

In 2003, the Commission and European Member States agreed within the framework of the Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EC, to an overall strategy to assess and regulate all hair dyes. Since then, following on from an assessment of the SCCS, the Commission has banned 180 substances and restricted the use of another 52. With this latest adoption of the Directive, the restricted list now amounts to 76 substances in Annex III of the Directive.

As it currently stands, a final batch of 45 substances is yet to be assessed by the SCCS. Upon receipt of the individual opinions on their safety, the EU will propose appropriate measures, such as restricted authorization or a complete ban of these substances. This will probably result in a “Positive List” of hair dyes, similar to that which exists for cosmetic colorants in Annex IV of the Directive.

Hair Dye Products

Hair dye products are divided into three categories – Temporary, Semi-Permanent (both of which are non-oxidative products), and Permanent (which are oxidative and require the use of a hair dye developer, such as Hydrogen Peroxide).  The majority of hair dyes used by consumers are still the Permanent type, although Semi- Permanent and Temporary products have seen an increasing market share over the last few years. In Europe more than 60% of women and 5-10% of men color their hair, with a mean frequency of use of 6-8 times per year.

Implementation of 2012/21/EU

The Directive 2012/21/EU (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:...) will apply from 1st September 2013 and as the date of application of this new Directive falls after the implementation of new European Cosmetic Regulation  (11th July 2013), many member states are advising that they will not transpose this Directive at present, as the provisions will be covered by the new EU regulation.

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Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Roger Pengilly
Cosmetic Safety Assessor
SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Crossley Hall House
Thornton Road
Bradford BD8 0HH

t: + 44 (0)1274 367980
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: http://www.sgs.com/pages/consumer-testing/sgs-consumer-goods-and-retail.aspx

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