Paraphenylenediamine is banned in several European countries and the United States.

Information provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the UK National Health Service states that PPD can be used lawfully in hair dyes.

The information provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains the risk of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) usage. It says that Henna, a plant-based colour, is approved only for use as hair dye, and it is not approved for direct application on the skin. PPD is not permitted in cosmetics meant to be applied on the skin.

The information published by the UK National Health Service (NHS) states that PPD could be lawfully used in hair dyes and that it is strictly controlled in the EU. It adds that PPD is safe and legal to use in permanent hair dyes. Temporary tattoos may contain high levels of this chemical dye which is illegal to use on the skin.

The information available on the European Chemical Association website states that according to harmonised classification and Labelling (CLH), the EU approves use of PPD, and it has given instructions to use the chemical safely.

Therefore, PPD is not banned in European countries and in the U.S, but its usage is strictly regulated.