Brussels (dpa) - The European Commission is proposing a ban on harmful chemicals in tattoo ink, including two widely-used blue and green pigments, the EU's executive arm confirmed on Friday after a German petition garnered huge support.
"The European Union is restricting hazardous chemicals contained in tattoo and permanent make-up inks to increase the level of protection by ensuring that they are safe for injection under the skin," a commission source told dpa.
EU member states are to consider the proposal in February.
The issue made headlines in Germany after a prominent tattoo artist initiated an online petition to save the dyes.
The petition launched on Wednesday has reached 100,000 signatories, including some prominent football players, according to the hosting website. It calls on the German parliament to prevent the planned ban from taking effect.
"A life without tattoos could soon become reality," wrote petition organizer Joern Elsenbruch, noting that ban would affect most tattoo colours and could force studios to turn to the unregulated black market.
The restrictions, on more than 4,000 substances used in tattoo inks and permanent make-up, were proposed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
These substances, including the pigments known as blue 15 and green 7, are already restricted under
EU cosmetics rules, according to an ECHA spokesman.
"If they are not allowed to be used on the skin, they should not be allowed to be used under the skin," he added.
The ECHA has said that the pigments used in tattoo inks are not specifically produced for those purposes, are often of low purity and can contain hazardous substances.
By: dpa Deutsche Presse - Agentur GMbH
