MFDS Bans 5 Hair Dye Ingredients... Manufacturing and Import Prohibited from August

Food and Drug Safety Ministry Card News. [Photo by Food and Drug Safety Ministry]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety revised and announced the "Regulations on Safety Standards for Cosmetics" on the 21st, designating five hair dye ingredients as raw materials that cannot be used in cosmetics.

Accordingly, o-Aminophenol, m-Phenylenediamine Hydrochloride, m-Phenylenediamine, Catechol, and Pyrogallol have been reflected as "raw materials that cannot be used" in cosmetics. The Ministry explained that these five substances were added to the prohibited list to minimize exposure as a preventive measure based on evaluation results that could not exclude the possibility of "genotoxicity."

Genotoxicity refers to toxicity that can cause damage or mutations to human genes. However, it is generally known that in healthy individuals, minor genetic damage can be repaired, so the actual risk from mild exposure during daily life is considered low.

With this measure, from August 22, six months later, products containing these ingredients cannot be manufactured or imported, and products already manufactured or imported can only be sold for two years from the date of enforcement of the announcement (until August 21, 2025).