Promoting workable legislation in IFRA's
Europe region
The modern fragrance industry was born in Europe, and fragrance is at the heart of the region's cultural heritage. 2023 saw IFRA work hard to boost the recognition of the importance - and the need for - fragrances in Europe.
Fragrance and the EU industrial strategy
Finding a place for fragrance in the the EU's industrial strategy
The European industrial strategy, updated in 2020 due to COVID-19, and which addresses Europe's need for strategic autonomy while factoring in geopolitical shifts, aims to make the industry resource-efficient, modern, and competitive. It supports the European Green Deal's objectives through a dialogue platform, encouraging a green and digital transition.
IFRA has contributed to the chemical industry's Transition Pathway by sharing initiatives on safety and sustainability, including the IFRA Code of Practice and Standards.
Fragrance and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
Advocating for a sustainable future: IFRA's engagement on the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
In 2023, IFRA actively engaged in advocating for the fragrance industry under the EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). This strategy aims for a zero pollution, toxic-free environment, significantly impacting fragrance sector regulations, including the revision of CLP and REACH, which govern chemical substance classification, labeling, and their registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction .
Engaging with the revision of the CLP Regulation
In 2023, the EU finalized the CLP regulation, with effects on two critical issues for IFRA: the classification of natural ingredients and the grouping of substances. Avoiding over-regulation of these aspects remails crucial for maintaining the perfumers' palette.
IFRA successfully collaborated with CEFIC, Cosmetic Europe, and A.I.S.E., aligning messages to safeguard proper rules for ingredient classifications and ensure scientific criteria for substance grouping, contributing to a resilient and competitive fragrance industry.
Broader aspects regulatory of chemicals legislation in Europe
The EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) significantly affects various sectors, including fragrances, with key revisions like the CLP regulation. The strategy's impact extends through 2024 with anticipated updates to major legislations such as REACH, now delayed, and others like the Detergents Regulation and the Cosmetics Regulation.
These adaptations are significant for IFRA, whose role is to ensure sustainable ingredient use and promote balanced, workable EU regulations.
Safe and Sustainable by Design
Safe and Sustainable by Design
The EU's Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) concept, part of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, is an approach that guides the innovation and market placement of safe and sustainable chemicals.
Introduced in December 2022 and open for a testing phase, the European Commission recommended an SSbD Framework, featuring criteria for designing safer and more sustainable chemicals and a five-step process to evaluate their safety and sustainability.
IFRA is involved in a case study to test the SSbD Framework and integrate the fragrance value chain into this SSbD process, contributing to the development of fragrances that are more sustainable and safer for humans and the environment.