Press Release: Commission bans 22 hair dye substances to increase consumer safety

In order to ensure safety of hair dye products for consumers the European Commission has banned 22 hair dye substances for which industry has not submitted any safety files. The Scientific Committee advising the Commission had recommended the ban of these substances following the conclusions of a scientific study that the long term use of certain hair dyes bears a potential risk of bladder cancer. The ban is a first step in an overall strategy, agreed with Member States and stakeholders in April 2003, to establish a positive list of hair dye substances which are considered safe for human health. The ban will enter into force on 1 December 2006.