New scientific evidence suggests that long-term and regular use of hair dye may be associated with bladder cancer.

As a result the European Commission has moved to restrict certain products in hair dye on safety grounds.

An estimated 60% of women and about 10% of men colour their hair regularly.

Sales of hair dye products in the European Union are worth billions of euro.

EU rules have so far banned the use of 180 substances in hair dye and restricted another 52.

The proposal today adds another 24 products to the list of restricted products.

A last batch of 45 substances are still due to be assessed.

The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety is composed of experts from across Member States.