Improving health and safety in Europe’s hairdressing industry

Hairdressers are often exposed to chemicals through cosmetic products. It has been shown that these chemicals pose serious health risks. Hairdressers can experience higher rates of occupational asthma and are significantly more likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to the repetitive movements required by their work. These issues are exacerbated by limited collective bargaining as many hairdressers work in small salons or as independent workers, leaving them vulnerable to unsafe working conditions.

UNI Europa is at the forefront of efforts to improve health and safety provisions for hairdressers across Europe. Through an ongoing EU-funded project the social partners are advancing the implementation of an agreed action plan for the autonomous implementation of the European Framework Agreement on occupational health and safety in the hairdressing sector. Significant progress has already been made in key areas, demonstrating the commitment of all parties involved to making hairdressing a sustainable profession. The European employer’s association in the hairdressing sector Coiffure EU’s president Edel Teige and vice-president Mark Coray stated: “Working together with UNI Europa, we aim to positively impact European policy on behalf of the sector. We remain focused on promoting the valuable economic contribution the sector makes to communities and well-being, advertising best practices, education, quality and standards, and contributing to the sector’s sustainable future.”

Making hair products safer for hairdressers

Hairdressers handle cosmetic products every day, exposing them to various hazardous substances contained in bleaches, dyes, and other cosmetic products. Ensuring that these products are safe is and remains a top priority during this legislative period. A project workshop brought together employers, trade unions, scientists, EU officials, and representatives of the cosmetics industry to discuss just this and how to better protect hairdressers.

“Collective bargaining and social dialogue have been vital in improving health and safety standards for hairdressers, leading to safer workplaces and better conditions for all,” said Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa.

“Even though the European Commission refused to make the social partner agreement legally binding, social partners have successfully implemented the agreement through soft governance methods, demonstrating that progress can still be achieved through co-operation and commitment. It serves as a strong model for other sectors to follow.”

The social partners formulated several recommendations to the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). The key recommendations focus on ensuring the safety of cosmetic products for hairdressers, urging the SCCS to consider workplace risks in their safety assessments, develop methods to compare exposure between consumers and professionals, update their guidance on frequently used ingredients, and incorporate the latest research on occupational exposure into product evaluations.

Protective gloves for hairdressers

Another priority is improving the quality of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves. A vote by the European standardization committee (CEN) is still needed to finalize a new glove standard, which provides high-level protection against chemical risks. This is essential for adequate protection.

Many hairdressers work in small salons or as independent workers. To help them apply health and safety standards, UNI Europa and Coiffure EU have cooperated with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) to create easy-to-understand safety guidelines in all EU languages.

Unions and employers have been actively involved in EU-OSHA’s health and safety campaigns, especially those focused on dangerous substances and musculoskeletal disorders such as the Healthy Workplaces Campaigns. OSHwiki, a dedicated platform, now provides all relevant safety information for the hairdressing sector in one place.

Toward a sustainable future

The European action plan has already achieved important milestones, including improvements in product safety, protective equipment standards, and support for small businesses. In 2025, UNI Europa will hold a workshop to share these achievements and discuss future goals.

“With Mark Bergfeld as the new Director of the Hair & Beauty sector at UNI Europa, we are excited to push forward in making the sector more attractive to workers. Addressing unconventional working hours and working conditions will help the industry retain well-trained, experienced professionals. By doing so, we can minimise shortages and ensure that the sector thrives with a skilled and sustainable workforce,” said Stefan van Linden, president of Hair & Beauty at UNI Europa.