Numerous peer-reviewed articles highlighted the toxicity of hair dye substances and notably theirconcerning carcinogenic, genotoxic and skin sensitizing properties. Concerned by the potential risks for the consumers, the SCCS, the EU Commission, the Member States and the Industry developed an overallstrategy to evaluate a number of hair dye substances and, when necessary, regulate them via the annexes of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.
On the basis of this evaluation, the EU Commission published a new amendment (Regulation EU No 2017/237) of the Regulation, adding eight entriesto Annex III and updating two existing entries. The restrictions and warnings (that we invite you to consult via the link provided above) relate to the following ingredients:
| Reference number | Chemical name | INCI name | CAS | EINECS |
| a | b | c | d | e |
| 8c | Ethanol, 2,2′-[(2- nitro-1,4-phenylene)diimino]bis- (9CI) |
N,N′-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-Nitro-p-Phenylenediamine | 84041-77-0 | 281-856-4 |
| 9b | 1-Methyl-2,6-bis- (2-hydroxyethylamino)-benzene |
2,6-Dihydroxyethylaminotoluene | 149330-25-6 | 443-210-1 |
| 298 | Di[2-[4-[(E)-2-[4- [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminophenyl]vinyl]pyridin-1-ium] butanoyl]aminoethyl]di-sulfanyl dichloride |
HC Red No 17 | 1449471-67-3 | |
| 299 | Di[2-[4-[(E)-2- [2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl]vinyl]pyridinin-1-ium]butanoyl]aminoethyl]disulfanyl dichloride |
HC Yellow No 17 |
1450801-55-4 | |
| 300 | 1H-Pyrazole-4,5- diamine, 1- hexyl-, sulfate (2:1) |
1-Hexyl 4,5- Diamino Pyrazole Sulfate |
1361000-03-4 | |
| 301 | 4-Hydroxy-2,5,6- triaminopyrimidine sulfate |
2,5,6-Triamino4-Pyrimidinol Sulfate |
1603-02-7 | |
| 302 | 2-[(3-Aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethanol hydrochloride | Hydroxyethoxy Aminopyrazolopyridine HCl |
1079221-49-0 | |
| 303 | Phenol, 3-amino2,6-dimethyl | 3-Amino-2,6- Dimethylphenol |
6994-64-5 | 230-268-6 |
| 304 | 2-Naphthalenaminium, 8-[(4- amino-3-nitrophenyl)azo]-7-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, chloride |
Basic Brown 17 | 68391-32-2 | 269-944-0 |
| 305 | 3-Amino-7-(dimethylamino)-2- methoxyphenoxazin-5-ium chloride |
Basic Blue 124 | 67846-56-4 | 267-370-5 |
Furthermore, the definition of a hair product in the EU Cosmetics Regulation excludes an application on eyelashes*. A specific safety assessment was therefore needed for the application of hair dye substances on eyelashes and this amendment allows the use of five new ingredients:
* Which is not the case of eyebrows. In the EU, ‘Hair product’ means a ‘cosmetic product which is intended to be applied on the hair of head or face, except eye lashes’.
| Reference number | Chemical name | INCI name | CAS | EINECS |
| a | b | c | d | e |
| 200 | 2,4,5,6-Tetraaminopyrimidine sulphate | Tetraaminopyrimidine Sulfate | 5392-28-9 | 226-393-0 |
| 206 | 3-(2-Hydroxyethyl)- p-phenylenediammonium sulphate | Hydroxyethyl-p Phenylenediamine Sulfate | 93841-25-9 | 298-995-1 |
| 211 | 2-Aminopyridin3-ol | 2-Amino-3- Hydroxypyridine | 16867-03-1 | 240-886-8 |
| 243 | 1,3-Benzenediol, 2- methy |
2-Methylresorcinol | 608-25-3 | 210-155-8 |
| 272 | 4-Aminophenol | p-Aminophenol | 123-30-8 | 204-616-2 |
Please, note that the use of these eyelash dyes is restricted to professional products.
This piece of legislation will enter into force on March 2nd, 2017.