§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the report by the European Commission concerning links between hair dyes with cancers. [51469]
625W
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI have been asked to reply.
The document issued by the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Cosmetics and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP) on 27 February 2002, is a discussion paper on "Assessment Strategies for Hair Dyes".
The initial findings of the SCCNFP suggest that all 57 permanent hair dyes are suitable for use in consumer products. However, the UK, along with other member states, has some concerns about the scientific methodology the SCCNFP have used to reach their conclusions, and for the sake of public reassurance and business confidence we have asked them to re-evaluate their studies with more evidence-based methodology.