The Consumer and Competition Division within the Competitiveness and Communications Ministry has announced that, as from 1 December, the following 22 types of hair dye substances will be banned:

6-Methoxy-2, 3-Pyridinediamine and its HC1 salt; 2, 3-Naphtalenediol; 2, 4-Diaminodiphenylamine; 2, 6-Bis (2-Hydroxyethoxy) -3, 5-Pyridinediamine; 2-Methoxymethyl-p-Aminophenol; 4,5-Diamino-1-Methylpyrazole and its HCl salt; 4,5-Diamino-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)Methyl)-1H-Pyrazole Sulfate; 4-Chloro-2-Aminophenol; 4-Hydroxyindole; 4-Methoxytoluene-2,5-Diamine and its HCl salt; 5-Amino-4-Fluoro-2-Methylphenol Sulfate; N,N-Diethyl-m-Aminophenol; N,N-Dimethyl-2,6-Pyridinediamine and its HCl salt; N-Cyclopentyl-m-Aminophenol; N-(2-Methoxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine and its HCl salt; 2,4-Diamino-5-methylphenetol and its HCl salt; 1,7-Naphthalenediol; 3,4-Diaminobenzoic acid; 2-Aminomethyl-p-aminophenol and its HCl salt; Solvent Red 1 (CI 12150); Acid Orange 24 (CI 20170); Acid Red 73 (CI 27290).

According to the ministry, the EU has said that scientific studies have proved that regular and long-term use of these substances may cause the development of bladder cancer. This risk should not be taken lightly, since the use of hair dye products has become very popular among both sexes. Statistics show that while more than 60 per cent of women colour their hair regularly, between five per cent and 10 per cent of men also use hair dye products on a regular basis.

The European Commission has thus felt the need to eliminate all dangerous hair dye substances from the market after an evaluation of such substances by the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products.

This division said it was appealing to the cosmetics industry to ensure that as from the above-mentioned date the 22 substances being banned by the Commission will not present in the products supplied to consumers.