The International Fragrance Association (IFRA): Ensuring Safe Fragrance Practices
Fragrances have the remarkable ability to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and add charm to our daily lives. Behind the creation of these captivating scents lies the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), a global organisation dedicated to promoting safety, quality, and sustainability in the fragrance industry.
Understanding IFRA
Established in 1973, IFRA serves as the united voice of the fragrance industry, bringing together seven multinational companies and 23 national associations in 24 countries across four regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.
IFRA collaborates with policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders to create practical regulation that promotes the safe use of fragrances, striving to safeguard consumers and the environment while stimulating innovation within the sector.
IFRA Code of Practice
The IFRA Code of Practice represents the industry's commitment to upholding the highest standards and ensuring the safe use of fragrance ingredients and mixtures globally.
The IFRA Code of Practice applies to all IFRA members worldwide and covers the manufacture and handling of all fragrance ingredients and mixtures, having three principal obligations: ensure safe use and regulatory compliance, apply the IFRA Standards, and adhere to good operating practices.
The IFRA Standards
At the core of IFRA's mission are the IFRA Standards, a comprehensive set of guidelines that regulate the safe use of fragrance ingredients in consumer products. These standards play a critical role in maintaining the highest level of safety and quality across the industry.
The IFRA Standards are prepared by IFRA and its Risk Management Task Force on the basis of safety assessments prepared by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) and decisions made by an independent Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety.
The IFRA Standards ban, limit or set criteria for the use of certain ingredients, based on scientific evidence and consumer insights.
IFRA continuously revisits and updates the standards as new information becomes available or industry practices evolve.
The 51st Amendment to the IFRA standards was notified on 30 June 2023.
References
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA)
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA). IFRA Code of Practice. 2021
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA). IFRA 51st Amendment - Standards. 2023