International Fragrance Association

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TheInternational Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body of the fragrance industry. It seeks to represent the collective interests of the industry and promote the safe use of fragrances through regulation.

Contents

The association was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, and its operations centre in Brussels, Belgium. As of October 2022, its membership includes seven multinational companies (known as 'Regular Members') and 23 national associations. There are ten 'Supporting Members' from countries where and IFRA does not have a national association.

IFRA is led by a president, Martina Bianchini, and by a board headed by its chairman, Hans Holger Gliewe. [1]

History

In 2020, in response to the ongoing and increasing focus on sustainability in the beauty and fragrance sectors, IFRA, in association with the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI), launched the "IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter." [2]

Objectives and roles

IFRA is the official self-regulatory representative body of the fragrance industry worldwide. [3] [4] Its main purpose is to ensure the safety of fragrance materials through a dedicated science program. IFRA publishes a list of usage standards for fragrance materials, limiting or prohibiting the use of ingredients, based on the findings of the Research Institute of Fragrance Materials, which gathers data regarding the safety of fragrance materials. [5] [6] [7]

IFRA Standards

The most recent iteration of the IFRA standards was published in January 2022, integrating all foregoing standards up to and including the "50th Amendment." [8] Within the standards, included ingredients are prohibited (disallowed as a fragrance ingredient), restricted (allowed as fragrance ingredient only in prescribed quantities), or have accompanying specifications regarding their use (such ingredients are only allowed if they comply with specific criteria outlined in the Standard).

Advocacy

People and structure

IFRA's day-to-day operations are led by its president. Since 2016, this role has been occupied by Martina Bianchini, heading a team of more than ten staff members based principally in Brussels.

IFRA's main decision-making body is its Board, headed by the IFRA Chairman, Hans Holger Gliewe. The Board has twelve voting members: eight representing the Regular Members, and four regional representatives of national associations. IFRA's Treasurer is Julia Raquet of BASF.

Industry criticism

As discussed by Noy Thrupkaew, constantly evolving IFRA regulations have eliminated the mainstream use of certain perfume ingredients, resulting in perfumes being reformulated, with certain scents and advantageous chemical characteristics of banned substances proving difficult, if not impossible, to replicate. [9]

"Still, many fragrance creators view the IFRA and E.U. restrictions as a step too far, and one not necessarily in consumers’ best interest. Some wished both bodies had limited their rules to labeling requirements. That way consumers could make informed decisions on their own." [9]

Membership as of October 2022

Regular Members

National Associations

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "New Chairman appointed in 2020". 10 April 2020.
  2. ↑ "IFRA-IOFI launch sustainability charter". July 2020.
  3. ↑ Essential Chemistry for Aromatherapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2009. ISBN   978-0702037054 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Husnu Can Baser, K.; Buchbauer, Gerhard (2009). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press. ISBN   9781420063165 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  5. ↑ Connie Pitts (2003). Get a Whiff of This: Perfumes (Fragrances) – The Invisible Chemical Poisons. AuthorHouse. ISBN   9781414008462 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  6. ↑ Kurt Bauer; Dorothea Garbe; Horst Surburg (11 July 2008). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials: Preparation, Properties and Uses. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   9783527612376 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  7. ↑ Karl Lintner (2009). Global Regulatory Issues for the Cosmetics Industry. Elsevier. ISBN   9780815519645 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  8. ↑ The International Fragrance Association, The Complete IFRA Standards up to and including the 50th Amendment , January 2022 (accessed October 30, 2022)
  9. 1 2 Thrupkaew, Noy. "A Big Stink in the World of Perfume," The Washington Post Magazine, April 21, 2021
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