REACH regulation & pigments
May 24, 2022REACH regulation & pigments
May 24, 2022
What is EU REACH?
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Their aim is to provide a high level of protection to human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
EU REACH is not restricted to inks and pigments but also to all chemical substances used in industrial processed and normal everyday products such as cleaning materials and clothing.
The aim is not to ban these products from the market to simply ensure that no known chemicals with specific hazardous properties, with a risk to the consumer, are being used.
What is the impact of EU REACH?
On the 4th January 2022 the EU REACH directive came into play restricting the use of certain harmful chemicals used in pigments. This means that from the 4th January 2022 if you are Manufacturing, distributing or performing treatments in the EU – you will only be able to produce, purchase and use REACH Compliant pigments.
Are all pigment lines affected by EU REACH?
All pigments which are manufactured in the EU will have to be REACH compliant but also any company selling into a EU country will also have to be.
Are Finishing Touches pigments EU REACH compliant?
Yes, as Finishing Touches manufacturer of pigments are based in the EU, they have a legal obligation to adhere to the EU REACH directive. This is excellent news for you as it means that no matter where you are practicing your pigments will be fully compliant
What is UK REACH?
EU REACH ceased to have an effect in the UK for the 1st January 2021 when the UK left the EU as a member state. The UK government has put in place a separate UK REACH regime which is being overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who will prepare a dossier to review the risks posed by certain substances in tattoo and PMU inks and consider the case for introducing any restrictions. A spokes person from the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said “UK Reach allows the UK to make its own decisions on the regulation of chemicals that are based on the best available scientific evidence, ensuring that chemicals remain safely used and managed”.
When will UK REACH come in?
In short, any restrictions on the use of pigments in the UK are yet to be decided, however it is strongly believed that the UK will soon follow suit with the EU’s ruling.
The DEFRA has proposed extending the first UK REACH registration deadline from 2023 to 2025.
What changes will I see to the pigments?
Visually you will see a change to our labels, this is due to regulations that have been put in place to regulate the information displayed. You will see that the where previously the carrier was isopropanol, this has now changed to alcohol. The remaining information will read as before showing you a lot and expiry, shelf life once opened (6 months) and the manufacturer details.
From the point of view of the pigment itself, there are no changes to viscosity, longevity in the skin or vibrancy of colour.
REFERENCES
Official EU REACH REGULATION
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020R2081&from=EN
HSE UK REACH
https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/crd-reach/restriction-proposals-002/
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/jan/05/uk-investigate-tattoo-ink-health-risk-after-eu-ban
ECHA
https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/tattoo-inks
Britsafe
https://www.britsafe.in/publications-and-blogs/safety-management-magazine/safety-management-magazine/2022/hse-to-investigate-health-risks-of-tattoo-inks-after-eu-ban/
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Their aim is to provide a high level of protection to human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
EU REACH is not restricted to inks and pigments but also to all chemical substances used in industrial processed and normal everyday products such as cleaning materials and clothing.
The aim is not to ban these products from the market to simply ensure that no known chemicals with specific hazardous properties, with a risk to the consumer, are being used.
What is the impact of EU REACH?
On the 4th January 2022 the EU REACH directive came into play restricting the use of certain harmful chemicals used in pigments. This means that from the 4th January 2022 if you are Manufacturing, distributing or performing treatments in the EU – you will only be able to produce, purchase and use REACH Compliant pigments.
Are all pigment lines affected by EU REACH?
All pigments which are manufactured in the EU will have to be REACH compliant but also any company selling into a EU country will also have to be.
Are Finishing Touches pigments EU REACH compliant?
Yes, as Finishing Touches manufacturer of pigments are based in the EU, they have a legal obligation to adhere to the EU REACH directive. This is excellent news for you as it means that no matter where you are practicing your pigments will be fully compliant
What is UK REACH?
EU REACH ceased to have an effect in the UK for the 1st January 2021 when the UK left the EU as a member state. The UK government has put in place a separate UK REACH regime which is being overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who will prepare a dossier to review the risks posed by certain substances in tattoo and PMU inks and consider the case for introducing any restrictions. A spokes person from the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said “UK Reach allows the UK to make its own decisions on the regulation of chemicals that are based on the best available scientific evidence, ensuring that chemicals remain safely used and managed”.
When will UK REACH come in?
In short, any restrictions on the use of pigments in the UK are yet to be decided, however it is strongly believed that the UK will soon follow suit with the EU’s ruling.
The DEFRA has proposed extending the first UK REACH registration deadline from 2023 to 2025.
What changes will I see to the pigments?
Visually you will see a change to our labels, this is due to regulations that have been put in place to regulate the information displayed. You will see that the where previously the carrier was isopropanol, this has now changed to alcohol. The remaining information will read as before showing you a lot and expiry, shelf life once opened (6 months) and the manufacturer details.
From the point of view of the pigment itself, there are no changes to viscosity, longevity in the skin or vibrancy of colour.
REFERENCES
Official EU REACH REGULATION
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020R2081&from=EN
HSE UK REACH
https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/crd-reach/restriction-proposals-002/
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/jan/05/uk-investigate-tattoo-ink-health-risk-after-eu-ban
ECHA
https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/tattoo-inks
Britsafe
https://www.britsafe.in/publications-and-blogs/safety-management-magazine/safety-management-magazine/2022/hse-to-investigate-health-risks-of-tattoo-inks-after-eu-ban/
