Denmark concerned over 'Depend GelLack' nail polish product

Denmark has flagged up nail polish product ‘Depend GelLack’, following a number of consumers experiencing allergic reactions.

The nail product contains acrylates, which have been reported to cause adverse effects when they come into contact with the skin.

Denmark follows Sweden's decision to rule the product "not fit for purpose" which came into force earlier this month, after its' Medical Protection Agency received 51 cases of adverse effects from using the polish.

A number of consumers were found to have experienced injuries and wounds on the skin after using 'Depend GelLack’. Although the product contains a well documented manual, it is considered that the product must be used by professionals.

However, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has only received a few complaints to date and has therefore decided not to impose an outright ban on the product, but is urging consumers to follow instructions for it very carefully.

"The EPA has a close eye on the product, but has so far received very few complaints about adverse effects so we have decided not to remove the product from the market, but will instead encourage consumers to follow instructions."

EU criticizes Sweden for over doing it on regulation

Sweden has been criticized in the past by the European Commission for cosmetic regulations that go over and above what the Cosmetics Directive demands.

The Commission has even had to send a ‘Reasoned Opinion’ asking Sweden to comply with European law in recent years.

Then, the EC had commented that Sweden’s regulation goes further than the Cosmetics Directive, which hinders the functioning of the internal market.

The country has had a history of asking for the notification of products that are already notified in other member states as well as demanding more information for market surveillance purposes than that asked for by the Directive.

Europe’s Cosmetics Directive establishes rules for the cosmetics sector to both ensure the safety of products and the functioning of an internal market, and member states are not allowed to adopt national rules that exceed these requirements.