WRITTEN QUESTION E-1560/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Hair dyes and cancer

In response to Written Question P-0090/03(1) on hair dyes and cancer, the Commission said that in the specific area of oxidative hair dyes, the majority of substances have already been banned or their use is subject to specific conditions on the basis of risk assessments made by the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP). It went on to say that the Commission was discussing with Member States and consumer and industry representatives the prioritisation of substances to be assessed or re-assessed.

Could the Commission indicate when a conclusion is expected to these discussions, what action it then proposes to take and to what extent the effects on third persons or non-users of these products are taken into account in the assessment of these products by the EU?

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 212.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

In a recent meeting held end of April 2003 with Member States and representatives of both consumers and industry, the Commission presented for discussion a strategy for the systematic evaluation of hair dyes in relation to published reports on a possible link between permanent hair dye use and bladder cancer.

The main element of the strategy is a tiered, modulated approach requiring industry to submit by certain deadlines safety dossiers on hair dyes to be evaluated by the Scientific Committee on Cosmetics and Non Food Products (SCCNFP). The overall objective of this strategy is to regulate the use of these substances on the basis of scientific evaluation of dossiers. Substances for which no file has been submitted for risk assessment by the SCCNFP will be treated on the highest priority basis whereas substances for which information is available will be phased in later on. In the former case the Commission will consider the most appropriate measures, including a possible ban on their use.

The approach was very much welcomed by the participants of the meeting. The Commission asked industry and Member States for further information in order to prioritise the future work. The discussion will be continued during the summer and a conclusion is foreseen in the following months.