Traces of dangerous chemicals found in hundreds of cosmetics in Europe

 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on Wednesday that it has found traces of dangerous chemicals in hundreds of cosmetics sold in Europe.

Of the 4,500 products tested by the agency in 13 European countries between November 2023 and April 2024, 285 (6%) contained traces of these substances, which are banned because of their harmful effects on health, the Helsinki, Finland-based organisation said.

The products in question include eyeliners, lipsticks and hair masks, the organisation said.

The substances found are banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and European legislation, because exposure to them damages fertility and increases the risk of cancer.

The organisation checked the list of ingredients on the products, noting that this method "can be easily used by consumers".

It stated that "the competent authorities have taken the necessary measures to withdraw the non-compliant products from the market".

Audits were carried out in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Romania and Sweden.