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Chief Health Officer
Advisory Note
6 June 2014
Tattoo ink safety warning for tattoo premises
(update 1)
Date issued: 6 June 2014
Issued by: Chief Health Officer, New South Wales
Issued to: All premises conducting tattooing
Key messages • This advisory does not refer to a current Australian product recall and is for information only.
• The European Union have recalled nine tattoo ink products (listed in Table 1). Some of these
products contain a chemical compound (phenylenediamines) and/or higher than permitted
levels of trace metal contaminants.
• In NSW it is illegal to obtain, supply, possess or use products one to six* that the EU have
recalled and these products should be disposed of. While products seven to nine may be
legal in NSW, it is suggested that these products are not used.
• It is the responsibility of tattoo premises to ensure that they request a product quality data
sheet (certificates of analysis or an equivalent statement) when purchasing inks from
suppliers or directly from manufacturers to confirm that the product is safe and legal for use in
New South Wales.
What is the issue?
The EU RAPEX system, a rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products, has recalled particular
tattoo ink products (refer to Table 1: Specifications of products recalled by EU RAPEX system).
Some of these products contain a chemical compound (phenylenediamines) and/or higher than
permitted levels of trace metal contaminants. The European authorities have classified the recall risk
as ‘serious’, the highest of four risk levels.
In NSW, it is illegal to obtain, supply, possess or use products containing phenylenediamines in
preparations for skin colouration (tattooing) unless authorised under the Poisons and Therapeutic
Goods Regulation 2008. Recalled products one to six listed in Table 1 contain phenylenediamines
and are thus illegal in NSW unless authorised by exception. Any product should be disposed of by
returning it to the supplier.
While recalled products seven to nine may be legal in NSW they may present a risk to health, it is
suggested that these products are not used.
What are the risks?
These inks contain hazardous chemicals.
These inks may provoke a localised allergic reaction from the chemicals they contain. There is no
information on the long term impacts from tattoos containing these inks.For further specific product information see the attached product recall list.
Table 1: Specifications of products recalled by EU RAPEX system
Product Brand Origin Specified recalled product name
1* Shader and
Liner tattoo set
Colourking China Tribal black, Crimson Red and Lavender
2* Tattoo ink Kuro Sumi
Colors
Japan Dragons Breath Red (Lot #110)
3* Tattoo ink Intenze China Cherry Bomb
Barcode: 20366L2799034; Batch n°: SS29
4* Tattoo ink Eternal Ink United
States (US)
Bringing you the brightest colour period –
Lipstick Red
Batch number: Lot 139; Exp. Date: 28/12/16.
5* Tattoo ink Dragon
Tattoo Ink
China Model numbers: TP-1:77891;TP-2:77891;
TP-3:77891
6* Tattoo ink Intenze US Dark Advanced Black and Grey Tattoo Ink
Formula, Dark Tone – Bob Tyrrell Edition
Model number: LOT: SS75; EXP: 03 (03/17)
Batch: BK56DISimx40; REF:10559C23001
7 Tattoo ink Silverback
Ink
US Black 11, Exp 12/2015, Batch B 44021213
8 Tattoo ink Intenze US Dark Purple; Model number: ST1012DP
Batch number: Lot: SS83; EXP: 09/30/16
9 Tattoo ink StarBrite US Scarlet Red; Batch SR74247
*Inks 1-6 are illegal in NSW
Prevention
For tattoo premises:
All premises conducting tattooing are advised to be aware of the recent recalls of tattoo ink in the
European Union and ensure that they are not using these products.
It is the responsibility of tattoo premises to ensure that they request a product quality data sheet
(certificates of analysis or an equivalent statement) when purchasing inks from suppliers or directly
from manufacturers to confirm that the product is safe and legal for use in New South Wales.
Under the Public Health Regulation 2012 there is a requirement for all businesses involving tattooing
to be registered with the local Council. The Public Health Regulation 2012 set out the requirements
that proprietors or occupiers of premises registered under the Public Health Regulation 2012 must
observe. These include premises cleanliness and infection prevention and control measures for staff
and equipment used.
For consumers:
Getting any tattoo carries some health risks. The safest way to get tattoos is from professional tattoo
premises that are registered with your local council. Avoid getting tattoos in other countries (outside
Australia), particularly in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and South America.
More information:
NSW Health website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/skinpenetration/Pages/default.aspx
Dr Kerry Chant
Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary
Population and Public Health

I just came across this when looking up the Kuro Sumi ink. Thought I’d pass it along.

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