Since Tuesday January 4, several dyes and substances contained in tattoo inks have been banned in all European Union countries because they are considered toxic to health.
- Several pigments and chemical substances present in tattoo inks have been banned by the European Commission because they are considered dangerous to health.
- France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Slovenia had already banned these substances under their national legislation.
“To protect European citizens, thousands of dangerous chemicals found in tattoo inks and permanent makeup will be restricted in the EU under the REACH Regulation from January 2022.” This was stated by the European Chemicals Agency (Echa) in a statement.
This measure adopted in December 2020 entered into force on Tuesday January 4, 2022 in all countries of the European Union, following an announcement by the European Commission. Clearly, from this date, tattoo artists can no longer use inks containing prohibited or restricted substances to make their drawings on the skin of clients, due to possible toxicity.
Substances that could be carcinogenic or allergenic
During a press briefing, Sonya Gospodinova, spokesperson for the Commission, said that several products were subject to this restriction because they can be carcinogenic, cause genetic mutations, affect reproductive capacities, cause skin allergies or other adverse health effects. Prohibited substances include mercury, nickel, chromium, cobalt, methanol and certain red, orange, yellow, purple and blue dyes. The European Commission has specified that, on the market, there are alternatives without danger to health.
“All these dangerous chemical substances are already banned in all Member States, including cosmetic products”, added the spokesperson for the European executive. France is one of the countries that have already banned these products. However, a survey conducted by UFC-Que-Choisirpublished in February 2021, revealed that “in 75% of the inks tested (used in the territory), levels of these undesirable substances above the regulatory thresholds, sometimes at overwhelming levels”, were noted.
“Long-term exposure to potentially harmful ingredients”
A total of 27 pigments used in tattoo inks have been banned by regulation. In January 2022, 25 dyes, including reds, oranges and yellows, are banned. A year later, in January 2023, two additional pigments, namely blues and greens, will in turn be banned.
Echa has reported that colorants could “migrate from the skin to different organs, such as the lymph nodes and the liver” and that the chemicals in the inks could spread through the body during laser tattoo removal. “Because the chemicals used in tattoo inks can remain in the body for life, there is also a risk of long-term exposure to the potentially harmful ingredients,” she warned.
The agency explained that this regulation would reduce “chronic allergic reactions and other inflammatory skin reactions” and that he “The same could be true for more serious effects such as cancers or damage to our DNA or reproductive system.”
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