Firstly of 2022, the European Union introduced a brand new legislation that may ban the usage of sure elements generally present in tattoo inks. The REACH Regulation was shared by the European Chemical substances Company (ECHA) and in response to their web site, “The restriction covers, for instance: chemical compounds that trigger most cancers or genetic mutations and chemical compounds which might be poisonous to copy in addition to pores and skin sensitisers and irritants. The goal is to not ban tattooing however to make the colors utilized in tattoos and everlasting make-up safer.”
Information of this ban has rocked the tattoo business worldwide, as it can make lots of the tried and true tattoo inks most well-liked by artists unlawful within the EU. In an effort to higher perceive how this ban will impression the tattoo world, we spoke with Lou Rubino, proprietor of World Famous Tattoo Inks, to find out how this ban took place, how artists within the EU might be impacted and if he sees an analogous restriction coming to the U.S. any time quickly.
What does the ink ban pertain to? Is all of it colour inks or particular shades?
The brand new laws within the EU pertain to the banning of numerous substances which might be included in tattoo inks, plus lots of the pigments which were used without end, with none actual purpose or scientific backing. There are only a few documented hostile reactions to tattoo inks. This ban made each single ink in the marketplace non-compliant in its unique method. Even Isopropyl Alcohol was banned in tattoo ink. It’s a quite common ingredient not solely in tattoo pigments, however in lots of the on a regular basis merchandise we use in and on our our bodies. We at World Well-known Tattoo Ink have labored tirelessly all this previous 12 months on a model new method, our Limitless line, that meets all requirements of the brand new Eu REACH laws.
How and why did this ban come about?
It comes right down to over-regulating tattooing because the officers would like tattooing to go away all collectively. There’s no proof or scientific backing or actual reasoning behind this ban. It is all hypothesis with little to no proof.
How will this ban impression tattooers within the EU?
It is a main impression as they have to cease utilizing all of the inks they’ve been utilizing for years and solely use inks that meet the requirements of the brand new REACH laws. It may be very tough to fulfill these requirements. Fortunately, we now have the World Famous Limitless line out there to maintain the artists going.
Is there any scientific proof that tattoo inks trigger pores and skin reactions?
It doesn’t matter what there’ll at all times be somebody with an allergy to any variety of substances. It has been proven to be very, very, very uncommon however some individuals can have allergic reactions to tattoo ink. It’s identical to having allergy symptoms to lots of the meals we eat, however they do not get faraway from the marketplace for a small quantity of reactions.
What about extra severe claims similar to genetic mutations or most cancers?
There’s no such proof.
How will this ban have an effect on the tattoo business as a complete?
We now have been in a position to pull off a brand new line of pigments to fulfill this regulation, which I’m certain regulators did not count on us to have the ability to do. Who is aware of, possibly subsequent they’ll strive banning the needles or one thing else to completely disrupt the tattoo business as a complete.
How will artists within the EU work round this ban?
Once more, fortunately we’ve created a brand new line of pigments referred to as World Famous Limitless to be able to maintain our business alive.
How will this ban impression World Well-known?
We spent all the 12 months of 2021 doing tons of analysis and testing. It has been an enormous impediment in our operations and R&D departments. However we’ve achieved the unattainable!
Do you see a ban like this occurring within the U.S. or different components of the world?
I’m certain different international locations will look and observe to some extent. We now have been in conversations with Australia who’re creating new laws but they agree, the EU went means overboard and it’s pointless. The FDA has been taking a look at new laws however hostile reactions are so low, they haven’t pushed on it.
