HSENI has launched a joint initiative with local councils to measure compliance with the restriction of hazardous substances in tattoo inks and permanent make-up pigments.
Over 4000 substances, identified to be hazardous to health, are now restricted for tattooing purposes in Northern Ireland. This will directly impact suppliers, shop owners and consumers alike. The restriction aims to ensure substances known to cause allergic reactions or even cancer are not injected into the body when there is insufficient research to determine the associated long-term health risks.
As enforcing authorities for REACH (the regulation creating the restriction), HSENI is interested in the manufacture and supply of compliant inks and pigments ensuring that NI suppliers and shop owners are complying with the new restriction. Local council Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are focused on maintaining consumer protection through the application of compliant inks.
The purpose of the campaign is to measure supply chain compliance, not to ban tattooing or permanent make-up activities. Furthermore, this initiative aims to inform and educate both those who carry out this work or undergo the service on how to identify compliant inks or pigments for tattooing purposes.
Ronan Magee, Head of the HSENI Chemicals Team, said: “These restrictions were introduced in January 2022 following a long period of consultation. The chemicals involved have all been identified as being harmful to human health and their use in tattoo and permanent make-up inks is considered to put clients at a higher risk of harm.
“The tattoo ink industry has been aware of the restrictions since January 2021 and many manufacturers have taken measures to create inks that are compliant with the new requirements, are clearly labelled and easily identified.
“The aim of this campaign is to promote the use of only compliant inks to ensure the health and safety of clients. Tattoo shops and permanent make-up salons must ensure they only buy and use ink and pigment products that are compliant and have the documentation and labelling to support this.”
Over the coming weeks, a questionnaire will be issued to tattoo and permanent make-up artists to ascertain the impacts of the restriction and how it has been implemented thus far. Following analysis of the data obtained, HSENI inspectors and EHOs will carry out follow-up visits to premises to measure compliance with the changes in legislation.
For further information on tattoo inks please visit www.echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/tattoo-inks.
