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Regulation of Tattoo Inks in Australia

Submitted by Admin on Tue, 28/04/2015 - 12:05
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Regulation of Tattoo Inks in Australia
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Ian Musgrave
There is limited regulation of tattoo ink in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods Administration does not regulate tattoo inks because they are not seen as therapeutic substances. The chemicals in tattoo ink are considered to be industrial chemicals, and are subject to the same requirements as other industrial chemicals under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989. If a chemical that is used in tattoo ink is in the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS), then its importation is usually not regulated by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme. For example, chromium red is listed on the AICS. It is unclear if there is any testing for contamination or adulteration of tattoo inks.

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