Taiwan to Ban Cosmetics Containing Coal Tar

On November 20, 2014, "Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare" preannounced the release of a draft regulation that by 2016 will see all products containing Coal Tar prohibited from import, manufacture, sale, supply or marketing in Taiwan.

Coal tar is a brown or black liquid of extremely high viscosity, which smells of naphthalene and aromatic hydrocarbons. Coal tars are complex and variable mixtures of phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heterocyclic compounds. Also known as liquor carbonis detergens (LCD) and liquor picis carbonis (LPC), Coal tar can be used in medicated shampoo, soap and ointment, as a treatment for dandruff and psoriasis, as well as being used to kill and repel head lice.

If you have any comments or advice about the draft, please send it to joyin@fda.gov.tw before November 27.