Why are certain tattoo colors banned?

The first rules will come into force on January 4, 2022. If a tattoo or permanent makeup product contains one or more substances with one of the following properties and exceeds the limit values, they will be covered by the new rules. The new rules are based on the following rules:

• Carcinogenic or mutagenic substances in a concentration of 0,00005% or more
• Substances that are harmful to reproduction or cause skin allergies in a concentration of 0,001% or more
• Corrosive, irritating to/in the skin and eyes or eye-damaging substances in a concentration of 0,01% or more

This primarily concerns polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and primary aromatic amines (PAA).

In addition, requirements are placed on the labeling of ink, similar to the regulations for cosmetics. This means, among other things, that mixtures must be labeled with the text “Mixture for use in tattoos or permanent makeup”.