title: EU actions to ensure the safety of tattoos and the protection of consumers.
abstract: The number of tattooed persons has been continuously increasing in the last few years, particularly in the younger population. At the same time, the possibility of purchasing tattoo inks online is easier than ever worldwide. Consumers are not always sufficiently aware of the possible health problems associated with this 'cool fashion' if hygiene conditions are not respected and/or if the injected mixtures contain dangerous chemicals. Concerns about the possible health risks associated with such practices arise from the absence of a clear legislative framework, the lack of proper risk assessment of the chemicals used, and non-harmonised or missing hygiene and purity requirements, among other factors. There is a general consensus among all active stakeholders that EU harmonised rules would help to ensure a consistent high level of protection of consumers across the EU.
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Justice and Consumers Directorate General Unit Product and Service Safety, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ana María Blass
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rico
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D007281:Ink; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents