§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the health risks associated with the use of hair dyes; and what advice is given by her Department.
§ Mr. SackvilleMaterials which are not permitted in hair dyes are given in the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1989 which give effect to the Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EC. The European Commission is advised on health risks associated with chemicals in hair dyes and other cosmetics by the cosmetics working party and the Scientific Committee on Cosmetology. The Department is represented on the former and other United Kingdom experts are members of the latter.
The Department is not aware of any information to indicate that chemicals in hair dyes pose any significant risk to health. Materials used in hair dyes are currently under review with the intention of producing a positive list for inclusion in the directive.