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Netherlands - Nederland

In the Netherlands the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has made a report* about the chemical and microbiological contamination in 2002. The conclusions of the study indicated that there were severe risks to be expected after injection with PMU or tattoo colorants. These risks were sue to microbiological contamination with high levels of micro-organisms and carcinogenic amines. It was also clear that the hygiene working conditions at the shops were bad. Also there was a total lack of knowledge about the colorants at the importers and producers.

The Ministry made an inventory of the importers of tattoo and PMU colorants as well as their branch organisations. Also an inventory was made of the "user" branch organisations (the beauticians and tattooists).


Legal Basis: The Ministry of Health decided legislation should be made by the Dutch Government. Waiting for "Brussels" seemed not to be realistic, since several documents (Council of Europe, Germany) were sent to the commission years before without result. The first draft was made within two month. This draft was intensive discussed with all involved national and local governmental bodies, the PMU and tattoo branch organisations, the user organisations (beauticians and tattooists) and consumer organisations. The Ministry ordered the RIVM (The Reference Institute for the Ministry) to do a risk assessment for the (heavy) metals which were found in the colorants. Also a study was discussed about the influence of the removal of tattoo’s by lasering.

The first draft included chemical regulations (absence of amines and several azo dyes, absence of Annex IV cosmetic colorants column 2, 3, 4 and CMR substances as listed in the DS). Microbiological all the colorants should be germ-free before injection. Very strict hygienic regulations were made for the tattoo, PMU and Piercing shops, including the sterilisation parameters for the instruments.

The first draft was accepted by all participants. The importers and the branch organisations were very much in favour of strict legislation, since they realise there are a lot of bad shops and importers.

The second draft excluded unfortunately the hygienic regulations. It was foreseen that the implementation of these hygienic regulations would cause an enormous impact on the enforcement system, and that this aspect has to be discussed extensively with the enforcement organisations before. Since the Ministry did not wanted to wait with the legislation, it was decided that the legislation should be in force on a short term, a second draft was made. This second draft was sent to all members of the first meeting. Since it is not to be expected to get a lot of comments, legislation will be in force in 2003. The structure of this legislation is more or less equivalent to the proposed legislation made by the Council of Europe.

Discussions will be organised with all the involved organisations how to deal with the "missing" parameters; risk assessment, hygienic regulations, stability, lasering, long term human effects etc.


Definitions: The draft Dutch legislation includes definitions practices and materials/chemicals for tattooing, PMU and piercing. Sterility is also defined as the absence of viable organisms, including viruses.

Licencing, education and skills: These aspects are not dealt with. Hygiene practices/inspections are handled through local guidelines /jurisdictions**

Sterility requirements: The draft Dutch legislation clearly states that the materials and chemicals used in tattooing and piercing practices must be sterile.

Special safety requirements on chemicals/materials used (summary):

• do contain or release aromatic amines and other substances listed in an annexes I and II of the draft text.
• do not contain substances listed in appendix IV of the directive 76/768/EEC of the Council of 27 July 1976 (columns 2-4).

* H.R. Reus; R. D. van Buuren, Inspectorate for Health Protection North, Ministry of Health: Tattoo and Permanent Make-up Colorants. An exploratory examination of: -Chemical and microbiological composition; - Legislation, Report no ND COS 012, November 2001
** Joan Worp & Albert Boonstra: Hygiënerichtlijnen voor piercen, Afdeling Hygiëne & Preventie, GG&GD, AMSTERDAM, 2003 and Joan Worp & Albert Boonstra: HYGIËNERICHTLIJNEN VOOR TATOEËREN EN PERMANENT MAKE UP, Afdeling Hygiëne & Preventie, GG&GD, AMSTERDAM, 2003