What Dyes Are Banned in Europe?

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Since 2002, the EU has progressively banned or restricted various dyes and colorants, particularly carcinogenic azo-dyes found in textiles and certain food additives. So, what dyes are banned in Europe, and what are the specific regulations governing their use in everyday products?

Quick Summary

The EU enforces strict regulations, primarily under REACH, to prohibit certain dyes and colorants in consumer goods like textiles, food, and cosmetics. Restrictions target carcinogenic azo-dyes in products with skin contact, titanium dioxide in food, and various chemicals in cosmetic colorants.

Key Points

Azo-Dyes in Textiles: The EU bans specific azo dyes in textiles and leather goods that can degrade to release carcinogenic aromatic amines, especially in products with prolonged skin contact.
Food Additive Ban on E171: Titanium dioxide (E171) is banned as a food additive across the EU due to concerns over its genotoxicity, though it may still be present in some cosmetics.
Food Dye Warning Labels: Certain food colorings like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are not fully banned but must carry a warning label in the EU regarding potential adverse effects on children's activity.
Cosmetic and Hair Dye Restrictions: Strict EU cosmetic regulations prohibit a range of substances in hair and eyelash dye products, with lists of forbidden chemicals updated regularly by ECHA.
REACH Regulation: The overarching legal framework for chemical safety in Europe is the REACH Regulation, which manages the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals, including dyes.
Right to Know: Under REACH, consumers have the right to request information from suppliers about whether products contain high concentrations of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).

The European Union maintains some of the world's most stringent regulations regarding chemical safety, including for dyes and colorants used across various consumer products. The legal framework, primarily led by the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), restricts or outright bans substances based on scientific evidence of potential risks to human health or the environment. This comprehensive approach affects industries from fashion to food, necessitating transparency and compliance from manufacturers and importers to ensure consumer safety.

Banned and Restricted Dyes in Textiles and Leather

For textiles and leather goods, the focus is on preventing exposure to hazardous substances that come into direct and prolonged skin contact. European Directive 2002/61/EC, incorporated into the REACH framework, specifically targets certain azo dyes.

These regulations prohibit the use of azo dyes that can break down to release one or more of 22 listed carcinogenic aromatic amines. The restriction applies to articles like:

Clothing and footwear
Bedding and towels
Wigs and hairpieces
Handbags, wallets, and watch straps
Textile or leather toys

The maximum permitted concentration of these amines is set at 30 ppm in the finished article. While this affects a small percentage of all azo dyes, it represents a significant safety measure against potential carcinogens. In addition to azo-dye concerns, the use of other harmful substances is also restricted. For instance, leather is controlled for the presence of chromium VI, a known skin irritant and carcinogen that can form from the less hazardous chromium III during processing or storage.

Prohibited Food Colorants

Food additives in Europe are governed by strict authorization procedures managed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Many dyes and colorants considered safe in other countries, like the U.S., are either banned or subject to strict limitations and mandatory warning labels in the EU.

Commonly Restricted and Prohibited Food Dyes:

Sudan Dyes (I to IV): Classified as carcinogenic and not permitted for use as food colorants. Instances of contamination in imported spices like chili and paprika have led to product recalls.
Titanium Dioxide (E171): As of 2022, this common whitening agent was deemed unsafe by EFSA and banned for use as a food additive in the EU due to concerns about genotoxicity, or its potential to damage DNA.
Certain Azo Dyes with Warning Labels: While not completely banned, products containing dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 must carry a warning label stating, “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”.

Bans in Cosmetics and Hair Products

The EU's cosmetics legislation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) maintains a comprehensive list of prohibited substances to protect consumer health. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) updates lists of restricted substances, including for cosmetic and hair dye ingredients. Specific hair and eyelash dyes containing certain harmful substances have been banned from being placed on the EU market.

Comparison of Banned Dyes in Key Product Categories


Product Category	Banned/Restricted Dyes (Examples)	Governing Regulation	Primary Safety Concern
Textiles & Leather	Azo dyes releasing carcinogenic amines (e.g., Benzidine, 4-Aminodiphenyl). Chromium VI.	REACH Annex XVII, Directive 2002/61/EC	Human health, skin contact (carcinogenic potential)
Food & Spices	Sudan Dyes (I-IV), Butter Yellow, Para Red. Titanium Dioxide (E171).	Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (Food Additives)	Human health, ingestion (carcinogenic, genotoxic)
Cosmetics & Hair Products	Certain hair and eyelash dye ingredients. Reactive Brown 51 (as of June 2025).	Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. ECHA Candidate List.	Human health, skin absorption and contact (carcinogenic, reprotoxic)

Navigating the Regulations: For Consumers and Businesses

For businesses, demonstrating compliance with these complex regulations is a legal obligation and a critical component of market access. Compliance is typically ensured through robust supply chain management, working with reputable dye manufacturers (like those adhering to ETAD guidelines), and implementing a check-testing program. For consumers, being aware of these measures is key to making informed purchasing decisions.

For Food Products: Always read the ingredient list on packaged food. If purchasing within the EU, note that products with certain azo dyes will contain a mandatory warning label about effects on children's activity. For food made or sold outside the EU, confirm ingredients align with EU standards.
For Textiles: Consumers can ask for information regarding chemicals in products. Under REACH Article 33, consumers have the 'right to know' if a product contains more than 0.1% of a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) on the ECHA Candidate List. Retailers and importers are responsible for providing this information within 45 days.
For Cosmetics: Check the ECHA website and consult consumer guides from organizations like the EWG for information on restricted chemicals. Looking for products that explicitly state they are compliant with EU regulations is a reliable strategy.

Conclusion

In summary, the European Union's regulatory landscape for dyes is strict and constantly evolving, driven by the overarching aim of protecting human health and the environment. Specific carcinogenic azo dyes in textiles and certain food colorants like titanium dioxide are completely banned, while others require mandatory warning labels. These regulations, primarily anchored in the REACH framework, place the onus on manufacturers and importers to ensure that products are free from harmful chemicals. By staying informed about which dyes are banned in Europe and looking for compliant products, both businesses and consumers contribute to a safer marketplace for all. The commitment to safety sets a high standard that benefits public health across the continent. ECHA remains a vital resource for staying up-to-date on chemical regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Certain azo dyes are banned in Europe because they can break down under reductive conditions to release carcinogenic aromatic amines, which pose a significant risk to human health through direct skin contact with consumer products like textiles and leather.

Yes, Red No. 3 (Erythrosine), a synthetic dye linked to cancer in animals, is already banned or severely restricted for use in food in Europe, unlike its previous status in the U.S..

The EU banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2022 after the EFSA concluded it could no longer be considered safe, primarily due to concerns that genotoxicity (potential to damage DNA) could not be ruled out.

While not banned, European regulations mandate that food products containing dyes like Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 must carry a warning label stating they 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'.

Yes. The EU Directive applies to all consumer goods manufactured or traded within the EU, meaning importers are legally responsible for ensuring that textile and leather articles from outside the EU comply with the banned azo-dyes legislation.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the key European legal framework that governs the restriction of dangerous chemicals, including dyes. It provides the mechanism for identifying, assessing, and restricting substances like harmful azo dyes.

Yes, strict regulations under the EU Cosmetic Regulation control the use of colorants in cosmetics and hair products. ECHA and other regulatory bodies regularly review and update lists of substances that are prohibited in these products.