EU Bans 22 Hair Dye Chemicals Feared Unsafe

The European Commission said Thursday it would ban 22 hair dye substances, following the release of a scientific study that concluded the long-term use of these chemicals could cause bladder cancer.

The ban will go into effect Dec. 1.

"Substances for which there is no proof that they are safe will disappear from the market," said European Union Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen. "Our high safety standards do not only protect EU consumers, they also give legal certainty to (the) European cosmetics industry."

The Commission had asked the cosmetics industry to provide safety files for all chemicals used in hair dyes to prove they do not pose a health risk for consumers.

The ban concerns 22 chemicals for which no safety files were submitted by producers.