Jul 20, 2006, 15:13 GMT
Brussels - The European Commission on Thursday said it was banning 22 ingredients found in hair dyes as part of a drive to ensure consumer security across the European Union.
The commission - the European Union's executive arm - said the ban was being slapped on products for which hair dye manufacturers had not submitted safety information.
'Today's ban is a first step in an overall strategy...to establish a positive list of hair dye substances which are considered safe for human health,' said a commission spokesman.
He added that the ban will enter into force on 1 December 2006.
Another 115 products for which the cosmetics industry had submitted safety files were being scrutinized by EU consumer experts, he said.
'Substances for which there is no proof that they are safe will disappear from the market,' said EU commissioner for industry policy Gunter Verheugen.
The European market for hair dyes is valued at an estimated 2.6 billion euros, representing 8 per cent of the turnover of the cosmetics industry.
The hair dye market is booming. The commission said more than 60 per cent of European women and 5-10 per cent of men coloured their hair, usually around 6-8 times per year.
Your Talkback on this Story