Information for Consumers and Tattooists (FAQs)
What is the purpose of the tattoo ink survey?
To assess whether the tattoo inks supplied by identified, easily accessible, common or commercially established brands of tattoo ink suppliers comply with voluntary maximum concentrations of heavy metals in the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Guidelines for tattoo and permanent makeup substances (the guidelines) available at EPA website at:
Why are three agencies involved?
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Health and Safety Group) is the lead enforcement agency under the HSNO Act for places of work such as manufacturers, importers and retailers.
The Ministry of Health is an enforcement agency under the HSNO Act, where it is necessary to protect public health.
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates tattoo inks under the HSNO Act via the Tattoo and Permanent Makeup Group Standard.
A copy of this group standard (and associated schedules) is available from the EPA’s website at:
What does the group standard specify?
The Tattoo and Permanent Makeup Group Standard sets a number of requirements that all tattoo and permanent makeup substances must comply with, for example, labelling, etc. However the maximum concentrations specified in the guidelines are not mandatory and represent best practice guidance from the Council of Europe. The EPA recommends that they should be used to help prevent adverse effects from the application of inks.
What was the basis of the maximum concentration of heavy metals in the guidelines?
The levels were adopted from the Council of Europe Resolution ResAP(2008)1 on requirements and criteria for the safety of tattoos and permanent make-up.
What’s the purpose in publishing the results of this survey if the results are not mandatory?
Many people may not be aware that tattoo inks may pose harm from the chemicals from which they’re made. Making the results publicly available may provide useful, though limited, information for tattoo artists when deciding to purchase tattoo inks. The public may also find the information useful, though limited, if they decide to request a tattoo.
What you should do if you are planning to have a tattoo done?
The most important check would be to ensure good hygiene practices are followed by the tattooist. Guides for this are available from local public health services
Local councils may also have regulations covering tattooing
and
Make sure that the tattoo artist knew his/her responsibilities to ensure that the ink products being used meet the group standard guidelines. See below.
What should you do if you are concerned that you have been tattooed with a tattoo ink with high lead levels or that your tattoo may be making you sick?
If you are worried that your tattoo may be making you sick, please see your doctor. The most significant risk from tattooing is an infection or blood borne illness like hepatitis C. If you are concerned about infection risk or lead in tattoo inks, your doctor can arrange a blood test for you.
What should the tattoo artists do make sure that the products meet with the guidelines?
The guidelines provide advice to tattoo artists, such as asking the supplier to confirm that the products they supply meet the guidelines. Suppliers can supply confirmation of this with a certificate of analysis from an accredited laboratory. Additional information is provided in the guidelines available from the EPA’s website at:
What other action is the Ministry taking?
Copies of this report will be provided to the District Health Boards, EPA, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Health and Safety Group), and the New Zealand Tattoo Association. The Ministry will also place a copy of the report on the Ministry’s website, alongside the existing Ministry of Health Guidelines for the Safe Piercing of the Skin (1998). The Ministry will write to the NZ Tattoo Association suggesting they consider further testing of commonly used inks in New Zealand.
Will you do any follow-up testing?
The Ministry expects to repeat the survey.
How much would testing of heavy metals cost?
The price of analysis is around $100-$120 plus GST per sample for the 13 metals listed in the guidelines but this may vary depending on the number of samples that will be tested.
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