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. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

The association was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, and its operations centre in Brussels, Belgium. [4] Its membership includes multinational companies (known as 'Regular Members'), national associations, and supporting members from countries where IFRA does not have a national association. [5] As of October 2022, its membership includes seven multinational companies (known as 'Regular Members') and 23 national associations. There are twelve 'Supporting Members'.

IFRA is led by a president, Alexander Mohr PhD, and by a Board headed by its chairman, Paul Andersson. [6]

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." [7] [8] This charter has subsequently been updated with a second edition launched in 2023, [9] with a third planned for 2025.

Objectives and roles

IFRA is the official self-regulatory representative body of the fragrance industry worldwide. [10] [11] 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 for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), which gathers data regarding the safety of fragrance materials. [12] [13] [14] Concerns have been raised about RIFM and IFRA's process, lack of transparency, and effectiveness as a safeguard. RIFM's list of restricted and prohibited ingredients is only available through subscription and may offer little guidance to manufacturers. [1] [15] [16]

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." [17] 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 2024, this role has been occupied by Alexander Mohr, 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, Paul Andersson. The Board has twelve voting members: eight representing the Regular Members, and four regional representatives of national associations.

Membership as of October 2022

Regular Members

National Associations

References

  1. 1 2 Rana, P; Pathania, D; Gaur, P; Patel, SK; Bajpai, M; Singh, NT; Pandey, R; Shukla, SV; Pant, AB; Ray, RS; Dwivedi, A (May 2025). "Regulatory frameworks for fragrance safety in cosmetics: a global overview". Toxicological research. 41 (3): 199–220. doi:10.1007/s43188-025-00283-2. PMID   40291114.
  2. ↑ Anderson, Bruce; Peyster, Ann de; Gad, Shayne C.; Hakkinen, P. J. Bert; Kamrin, Michael; Locey, Betty; Mehendale, Harihara M.; Pope, Carey; Shugart, Lee (31 May 2005). Encyclopedia of Toxicology. Elsevier. pp. Appendix 1.23. ISBN   978-0-08-054800-5.
  3. ↑ Hayes, A. Wallace; Kobets, Tetyana (3 July 2023). Hayes' Principles and Methods of Toxicology. CRC Press. p. 837. ISBN   978-1-000-87577-5.
  4. ↑ International Who's who of Professionals. Who's who historical society. 2001. ISBN   978-0-9713303-3-7.
  5. ↑ Baki, Gabriella (12 December 2022). Introduction to Cosmetic Formulation and Technology. John Wiley & Sons. p. 88. ISBN   978-1-119-70983-1.
  6. ↑ IFRA (15 November 2024). "Alexander Mohr Appointed President of International Fragrance Association". Perfumer & Flavorist.
  7. ↑ "IFRA-IOFI launch sustainability charter". Perfumer & Flavorist. July 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ Mock-Knoblauch, Cordula (2025). "Aroma's Carbon Footprint: The Fragrance Industry's Path to Net-Zero Emissions". Perfumer & Flavorist. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  9. ↑ Mignot, Jessica (25 November 2024). "The great history of IFRA - Nez the olfactory cultural movement". Nez. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  10. ↑ Clarke, Sue, ed. (2009). Essential Chemistry for Aromatherapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 243–245. ISBN   978-0702037054.
  11. ↑ Husnu Can Baser, K.; Buchbauer, Gerhard (2009). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press. ISBN   9781420063165 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  12. ↑ Pitts, Connie (2003). Get a Whiff of This: Perfumes (Fragrances) – The Invisible Chemical Poisons. AuthorHouse. p. 99. ISBN   9781414008462 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Bauer, Kurt; Garbe, Dorothea; Surburg, Horst (11 July 2008). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials: Preparation, Properties and Uses. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   9783527612376 . Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Lintner, Karl, ed. (2009). Global Regulatory Issues for the Cosmetics Industry. Elsevier. pp. 62, 67. ISBN   9780815519645.
  15. ↑ Varsho, B; DeGeorge, G (2018). "Regulations affecting cosmetic and personal care products". In Gad, SC (ed.). Regulatory Toxicology (3rd ed.). Milton: Chapman and Hall/CRC Press. pp. 149–166. ISBN   9781498780827.
  16. ↑ Epstein, Samuel S.; Fitzgerald, Randall (4 January 2011). Healthy Beauty: Your Guide to Ingredients to Avoid and Products You Can Trust. BenBella Books, Inc. ISBN   978-1-935618-67-6.
  17. ↑ The International Fragrance Association, The Complete IFRA Standards up to and including the 50th Amendment , January 2022 (accessed October 30, 2022)
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