WRITTEN QUESTION E-1560/03 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Hair dyes and cancer.
Date: 2003-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: carcinogenic substance, consumer information, consumer protection, cosmetic product, health risk, product safety, scientific report

C 280 E/168

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

(2003/C 280 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1560/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Hair dyes and cancer

In response to Written Question P-0090/03 (1) on hair dyes and cancer, the Commission said that in the
specific area of oxidative hair dyes, the majority of substances have already been banned or their use is
subject to specific conditions on the basis of risk assessments made by the Scientific Committee on
Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP).
the Commission was
discussing with Member States and consumer and industry representatives the ‘prioritisation’ of substances
to be assessed or re-assessed.

It went on to say that

Could the Commission indicate when a conclusion is expected to these discussions, what action it then
proposes to take and to what extent the effects on ‘third persons’ or non-users of these products are taken
into account in the assessment of these products by the EU?

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 212.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

In a recent meeting held end of April 2003 with Member States and representatives of both consumers
and industry, the Commission presented for discussion a strategy for the systematic evaluation of hair dyes
in relation to published reports on a possible link between permanent hair dye use and bladder cancer.

The main element of the strategy is a tiered, modulated approach requiring industry to submit by certain
deadlines safety dossiers on hair dyes to be evaluated by the Scientific Committee on Cosmetics and Non
Food Products (SCCNFP). The overall objective of this strategy is to regulate the use of these substances on
the basis of scientific evaluation of dossiers. Substances for which no file has been submitted for risk
assessment by the SCCNFP will be treated on the highest priority basis whereas substances for which
information is available will be phased in later on. In the former case the Commission will consider the
most appropriate measures, including a possible ban on their use.

The approach was very much welcomed by the participants of the meeting. The Commission asked
industry and Member States for further information in order to prioritise the future work. The discussion
will be continued during the summer and a conclusion is foreseen in the following months.

(2003/C 280 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1582/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: State of the shipbuilding industry in the European Union

(8 May 2003)

A recent visit to the shipyard in Viana do Castelo, in northern Portugal, revealed the concern felt at the
problems which continue to affect the shipbuilding industry in the European Union and which may have
serious consequences in Portugal unless action is taken to safeguard this key strategic sector.

Furthermore, the recent ecological disasters caused by the wrecks of the ERIKA and Prestige make it
imperative to act on the calls for a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to the transport of heavy hydrocarbons by sea
to or from European Union countries. The Commission should not only ensure the swift and flexible
application of the temporary protection mechanism for the shipbuilding industry currently in force, but
should also provide new forms of support, particularly in the areas of R & D and innovation, with regard
to both the drawing-up of plans and prototypes. The new Leadership 2015 initiative is an innovation
deserving of support.