Standards Library
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Chemicals regulation in the EU
REACH is the European Union’s comprehensive regulation on chemical safety. It applies to most substances manufactured or imported into the EU, setting out data requirements, safety assessments, and conditions for use. While not specific to fragrance, REACH has direct implications for the way fragrance ingredients are evaluated, managed and used — particularly with regard to volume thresholds, hazard classifications, and restrictions. IFRA contributes to the regulatory process to help ensure that REACH remains workable for the complex, low-volume substances used in scent.
Fragrance under REACH
Substance registration and data sharing
Companies placing fragrance ingredients on the EU market must register those substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), providing data on hazards, uses, and exposure. IFRA members often work through consortia to share data and streamline compliance.
Risk management and restrictions
REACH enables the EU to impose conditions on the use of certain substances — or to restrict them entirely — based on scientific evaluations. Fragrance materials may be subject to such restrictions, which can affect formulation, labelling, or continued market access.
Ongoing dialogue and technical input
IFRA engages in the REACH process by contributing technical data, proposing pragmatic solutions, and representing the fragrance industry’s interests. Our goal is to support regulation that protects health and the environment while reflecting the specific realities of fragrance use.
