- Matthias VeyVice President, Scientific Affairs
The interview
CITES: protecting biodiversity while supporting trade
Safeguarding natural ingredients through international cooperation
Matthias Vey outlines IFRA’s engagement with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to support responsible trade in natural fragrance ingredients. Naturals such as tonka, frankincense and oud are essential to perfumery but can be affected by biodiversity and trade restrictions.
As an accredited observer to CITES, IFRA contributes scientific and supply-chain expertise to ensure proportionate measures that protect species while keeping materials available. A key achievement has been securing exemptions for finished fragrance mixtures once the raw materials are certified, which significantly reduces the administrative burden without weakening protection.
Through collaboration with partners and regulators, IFRA helps shape balanced outcomes that support conservation, compliance and creative perfumery.
Filmed at the IFRA Global Fragrance Summit 2025.
