In a public consultation, the Commission had asked producers to provide safety files for their substances. These files, based on scientific expertise, have to prove that a substance does not pose a health risk for consumers.The ban involves those hair dye substances for which industry has not submitted any safety files at all.
According to the Commission, the hair dye market in the EU was € 2.6 billion in 2004 which accounts for some 8% of the value of output of the cosmetics industry in Europe. Permanent hair dyes account for 70-80% of the colouring product market in Europe. More than 60% of women colour their hair, 5-10% of men, the average frequency of use is 6-8 times per year.
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.
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