Scientific advice prompts Commission to extend hair dye assessment
Heeding scientific advice, the European Commission has decided to extend its assessment of hair dyes in order to minimise possible risks of allergic reactions. The warning came in a memorandum published by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP), which provided test results for 46 hair dye ingredients. The scientists found that a 'considerably high proportion' of the substances were 'skin sensitizers', capable of causing allergic reactions. Out of the 46 ingredients, 10 were found to be 'extreme sensitizers', 13 strong, and 4 moderate. Hair dyeing is becoming increasingly popular. According to a Danish study, 16 is the average age when people start experimenting with colouring their hair. 'In view of the findings of this report and the increased use of hair dyes in recent years, we need an in-depth assessment of the prevalence of hair dye allergies in the population,' said. Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health. The SCCP study is part of a larger EU safety strategy on hair dye substances. In 2003, following warnings from the SCCP on a possible link between the long term use of permanent hair dyes and bladder cancer, the Commission, with Member States and the cosmetic industry, launched a strategy to tighten regulation of these dyes. The strategy foresees creating a list of safe dye substances and banning all permanent and non-permanent hair dyes for which no safety files have been submitted to the SCCP. Based on the new findings, the Commission says it will extend its current safety strategy and will call for further examination of the prevalence of skin allergies caused by hair dyes among the EU population. The Commission says that it will also examine the threshold values for 'sensitizers' of high concern.