EC imposes stronger warning on hair dye products

On the back of recent allergic reactions some consumers have had to hair dye, the European Commission has imposed stronger additional warnings to inform consumers of the possible adverse effects of hair colouring.

With the aim to lower the risk of sensitisation to hair dye products among consumers, the Commission, in conjunction with Member States and the cosmetics industry, agreed on stronger additional warnings to be labelled on permanent hair dye products.

One of the new warnings to be featured on the labels specifically addresses teenagers, "This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16."

EC spokesperson Frederic Vincent told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com; "In practice, it does not mean that these products are forbidden for use on persons younger than 16."

"However, if consumers start using hair dyes at such a young age there is a high probability they may develop allergies to these products", he added.

PPD sensitization

According to Vincent, the study on severe allergic hair dye reactions in children carried out by Danish scientists in 2006 was important scientific evidence in the context of this directive.

The investigation reported that risk profile for p-phenylenediamine (PPD) sensitization of the population has changed simultaneously with an increasing use of hair dyes in 12-15 year olds.

Clinical history and patch test results for consecutive children below 16 years of age with suspected hair dye allergic reactions and positive patch tests to PPD were collected over two years in dermatology clinics.

“Data on eight children all reacted to several hair dye ingredients. Five of those patients were hospitalized with one in the intensive care unit”, reveals Vincent.

These children showed simultaneous positive patch reactions to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine”, he concluded.

Directive

The EC has notified the World Trade Organisation of its draft directive to list 27 hair dye substances, prohibiting their use subject to certain conditions assessed by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety.