Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the toxic waste that comes from hairdressing salons in England in the form of peroxides and dyestuff is dealt with safely.

The safe use of peroxides and dyestuff by hairdressers falls within the policy remit of the Health and Safety Executive and the relevant health and safety legislation is enforced by local authority inspectors. The disposal of hazardous waste is enforced by the Environment Agency.

Most products used in the hairdressing sector are considered to be ‘cosmetics’ and to be deemed safe for human use they must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products (recast) which are enforced by Trading Standards under The Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.

Under the Registration Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulations (REACH) 2006 suppliers of hazardous substances must provide users of those substances with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS contains the information necessary to enable users to carry out a risk assessment as required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 including how the product can be used, stored and disposed of safely.