- Matthias VeyVice President, Scientific Affairs
The interview
Update to the IFRA furocoumarins policy
A specific revision within the IFRA Standards
Matthias Vey highlights the revision of the furocoumarins Standard as a clear example of IFRA’s approach to product stewardship. Furocoumarins occur naturally in certain Natural Complex Substances, most of them citrus oils. They are known for their phototoxic properties and are regulated both by IFRA and by public authorities.
The revised Standard was developed by a dedicated working group representing the full fragrance value chain, including the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), and was supported by a comprehensive review of the available scientific findings established within IFRA. IFRA also worked closely with regulators to align technical criteria and implementation as far as possible.
The process strengthened regulatory coherence, ensured high levels of consumer safety and set a benchmark for future Standards development, reinforcing IFRA’s leadership in science-based self-regulation.
