Yes.

REACH pigments comply with the European Union’s chemical safety standards, ensuring they do not contain hazardous, banned, or restricted substances (such as lead, mercury, or carcinogens). NOT REACH pigments have not gone through this certification and may contain substances not authorized for use in tattoos within the EU.

Yes, you can — but it’s important to understand that NOT REACH pigments are not legally authorized for use in tattoos within the European Union. Using these products on human skin may pose health risks and carry legal consequences. However, they can be safely used for other purposes such as practice on pig skin, artwork on canvas, painting, or any other surface that does not involve direct contact with human skin.

Yes, the REACH Regulation is legislation specific to the European Union. However, other countries may have similar rules. If you are outside the EU, you should always check local laws.

The REACH Regulation started applying specifically to tattoo pigments from January 4, 2022. The industry is still adapting to these rules, which involves reformulating many products to meet the new legal requirements. Additionally, this is not mandatory in countries outside the EU.

This information is usually found on the product’s technical datasheet or label. You can also request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from your supplier.

If it is proven that NOT REACH pigments are used, besides the health risks to clients, there may be legal consequences including fines and business suspension. The responsibility for using these pigments lies solely with the artist; neither the brand nor the retailers take any responsibility for misuse.

Pigments that do not comply with REACH are not authorized for use on human skin but can be legally sold for other purposes such as training on pig skin, artistic work on canvases, paintings, or other surfaces not involving direct skin contact. It is important for tattoo artists and clients to be aware of this distinction to ensure only REACH-compliant pigments are used in tattoos, protecting health and complying with EU law. However, these pigments can be purchased within the EU and used in countries like Switzerland, the UK, or the United States.

REACH places strict restrictions on various substances found in tattoo pigments to protect human health. Prohibited or heavily restricted substances include:
- Toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and hexavalent chromium (Cr VI), which can cause serious health effects including neurological toxicity and kidney problems
- Carcinogens that increase the risk of cancer
- Mutagens that can cause genetic changes and DNA damage.
- Reproductive toxins that may affect fertility or cause harm to a fetus during pregnancy.
- Skin sensitizers and irritants that cause allergies and skin inflammation.

You can visit the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website at echa.europa.eu, which has dedicated sections on tattoo pigments and permanent makeup (PMU).