Taiwan considers ban on estrogen use in cosmetics

Taiwan is contemplating prohibiting the use of estrogen in cosmetics as it poses a risk of cancer or endocrine disorders.

The proposed ban, which will come into effect next year, will restrict the use of three estrogen variants, including estradiol, estrone and ethinylestradiol in cosmetics, reported Focus Taiwan.

Estrogen is reported to be one of the hormones causing ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Taiwan’s health authorities have so far issued 241 permits for using estrogen in cosmetic products.

However, the country set a limit of 200 international units (IU) on products for use on the head and 500 IU for other parts of the body.

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration medical equipment and cosmetics chief Chu Yu-ju said that the government will impose a penalty on products that contain non-permissible amounts of estrogen as well as destroy such products.

According to Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration, the European Union, Canada and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have banned estrogen in cosmetics.

China Medical University medical cosmetics expert was quoted as saying that use of beauty products does not pose high-risk of cancer but long-term use may cause risk of feminization for boys and precocious puberty for girls.