Helsinki:

The Helsinki-based agency examined nearly 4,500 cosmetic products in 13 European countries and found that six percent of products — or 285 products — contained substances that are banned because of their harmful health effects.

The chemicals were found in products “from various vendors and across price ranges” during inspections between November 2023 and April 2024, the agency said in a statement.

Products containing dangerous chemicals include eyeliners, lip liners, conditioners and hair masks.

The agencies said the substances were banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants as well as EU law and that exposure to them could reduce fertility and increase cancer risks.

According to ECHA, the inspection was mainly carried out by controlling the product list of product ingredients, and the agency noted that the control measures “can also be easily used by consumers”.

ECHA said that following the inspection “enforcement authorities have taken steps to remove non-compliant products from the market”.

Among the countries controlled were Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Romania and Sweden.

(Other than the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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