What is REACH Compliance?
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) is a European Union regulation designed to protect human health and the environment from potentially harmful chemicals. It applies to substances used in all industries, including tattoo and permanent makeup (PMU) inks. REACH requires manufacturers to test, register, and regulate the chemicals in their products, ensuring they are safe for use on human skin.
Why Did REACH Compliance Start?
Tattooing has grown from a niche art form to a global industry, with millions of people getting tattooed yearly. However, as the industry expanded, so did concerns about the safety of tattoo inks. Some pigments used in tattooing were initially developed for industrial applications (such as automotive paints and textiles), and their long-term effects on the body were not well-studied.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched REACH regulations for tattoo inks due to concerns over:
- Heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and cadmium) in inks could be toxic.
- Carcinogenic and mutagenic substances (chemicals that may cause cancer or genetic mutations).
- Ink pigments break down in the body and affect the lymphatic system.
- Allergic reactions and inflammatory responses are caused by particular chemicals in tattoo ink.
With these concerns, the EU introduced strict limits on certain chemicals in tattoo inks under REACH, banning or restricting hundreds of previously used substances.
What This Means for NISIMP & the Future of Tattoo Inks
As a leader in the tattoo ink industry, NISIMP has been ahead of the curve by ensuring that its inks are formulated with the highest safety standards. While many ink brands have struggled with REACH compliance, NISIMP has consistently focused on:
- Using clean, high-quality, skin-safe ingredients.
- Eliminating harmful substances before regulations even required it.
Manufacturing in a controlled, ISO-certified clean room environment to ensure purity. With REACH compliance becoming a defining factor in the future of tattooing, NISIMP is paving the way for an industry in which artists and clients can trust that their ink is safe and long-lasting.