Tattoo inks and permanent BAN EU INK Tattoo?

Tattoos are a popular form of body art 12 % of Europeans have them. They are made by injecting colored inks under the skin to leave a permanent design. 

The health risks of using dirty needles to inject the inks have already been under scrutiny for some time, but there may be chemical-related concerns to consider, too.

A couple of years ago, in response to concerns about the potentially hazardous substances that have been found in some inks, the European Commission asked ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) to carry out an in-depth investigation of all the chemicals in tattoo inks and permanent make-up, and assess the risks they pose to human health. We first reported on this in Total Tattoo Issue 161. The whole investigation covered more than 4,000 substances. 

According to a recent ECHA press release, “Some of these substances are already restricted under the EU’s Cosmetic Products Regulation and are not allowed to be used on the skin. They are also, therefore, not safe to be injected under the skin either.”

• Proposals have now been made to restrict the use of those chemicals ECHA deems to be hazardous – and controversially the list includes Pigment Blue 15 and Pigment Green 7, which are key ingredients of tattoo inks.

 • ECHA has, however, recommended a two-year transitional period before imposing any ban. This would allow ink manufacturers to find safer alternatives whilst ensuring the availability of green and blue tattoo inks in the meantime. 

• Reassuringly, ECHA emphasises that it is “not proposing to ban tattoos, nor all green and blue tattooing colours.” 

• ECHA's proposals are due to be discussed by EU member states this month with a view to introducing new legislation. As we go to print, it is unclear what role the UK will play in these discussions (although it has been suggested that, post-Brexit, new legislation in the UK is likely to mirror that in the EU). 

Many tattooists are, understandably, concerned (and the situation hasn't been helped by the scare stories that have appeared in the press and on social media). In Germany, Andreas Coenen and Jörn Elsenbruch have set up an online petition which has already garnered massive support, amassing 100,000 signatures in just a few days.