The Environmental Risk Management Authority has released a consultation document that proposes to amend the Cosmetic Standards by requiring ingredient labelling on all cosmetics sold in New Zealand.
Greens health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley said cosmetics and shampoos were applied directly to the skin and many people used them daily.
The Green Party had campaigned for the change for several years.
‘‘The ingredients in cosmetics are often potent chemicals, and some are known to be hazardous substances.
‘‘Consumers have a right to know what is present in products they apply to their skin, so they can decide whether to buy them or avoid them.''
She said some products currently complied with European and United States labelling standards, but many products had no ingredient labelling at all.
Ms Kedgley said the Greens also welcomed the proposal to add a number of hair dyes to the banned or restricted lists in line with the European Union, and to ban the toxic chemical diethylene glycol from toothpaste.
