Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/05/24
By: Chen Ching-fang and S.C. Chang

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) Taiwan is studying whether to follow the European Union’s footsteps in banning estrogen in cosmetics that may cause endocrine disorders or cancer and pollute the environment, an official said Sunday.

Chu Yu-ju, a section chief of the Food and Drug Administration in charge of medical equipment and cosmetics, said a ban on the use of three kinds of estrogen — estradiol, estrone and ethinylestradiol — in cosmetic products could go into force next year at the earliest in order to ensure consumer safety and protect the environment.

FDA data show that European Union, Canada and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have prohibited the use of these three chemical ingredients in cosmetics. But Taiwan and Japan just put them on a control list and their manufacture or import is not allowed without permit.     [FULL  STORY]