THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products(), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
After consulting the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products,
Whereas:
(1) Following the publication of a scientific study in 2001, entitled ‘Use of permanent hair dyes and bladder cancer risk’, the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for Consumers, currently the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (hereinafter SCCP)(), concluded that the potential risks were of concern. It recommended that the Commission take further steps to control the use of hair dye substances.
(2) The SCCP further recommended an overall safety assessment strategy for hair dye substances including the requirements for testing substances used in hair dye products for their potential genotoxicity/mutagenicity.
(3) Following the opinions of the SCCP, the Commission, together with Member States and stakeholders, agreed on an overall strategy to regulate substances used in hair dye products, according to which the industry was required to submit files containing the scientific data on hair dye substances to be evaluated by the SCCP.
(4) Substances for which updated safety files were submitted are currently being evaluated by the SCCP. For 17 hair dye substances final opinions have already been given by the SCCP. Therefore, definitive regulation of these hair dye substances, on the basis of such evaluations, can take place.
(5) Directive 76/768/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: