Taiwan’s Food and Drugs Administration has banned certain components of estrogen – estradiol, estrone and ethinyl estradoil – in cosmetics and personal care products. The ban will come into effect in July 2016.

Companies found producing, distributing or selling products containing these estrogen derivatives will be fined up to NT$150,000 or receive a fixed-term sentence of up to a year.

Restrictions on estrogen are already in place in the EU, US, Canada and mainland China following evidence that the components could cause cancer. The controversial ingredients are often used to speed up hair growth or soften skin.