De la política a la práctica
La Estrategia sobre Sustancias Químicas para la Sostenibilidad (EQS), adoptada por la Comisión Europea el 14 de octubre de 2020, amplía el Reglamento de la UE sobre clasificación, etiquetado y envasado con clases de peligro separadas para los alteradores endocrinos y para las sustancias persistentes, bioacumulativas, tóxicas, móviles o muy persistentes. También explora un factor genérico de evaluación de mezclas y un concepto de uso esencial que podría restringir determinados ingredientes de fragancias a menos que se demuestre su valor social más amplio.
Qué significa para los perfumes
La perfumería moderna depende de una paleta de unas tres mil moléculas naturales y sintéticas. Cuando las nuevas clases de peligro entraron en la legislación de la UE a través del Reglamento Delegado 2023⁄707 (publicado el 31 de marzo de 2023), ingredientes conocidos como algunos nitroalmizcles y ciertas notas amaderadas necesitaron nuevos datos o una reformulación.
El concepto de uso esencial se refiere a si una sustancia es indispensable para la salud, la seguridad o el funcionamiento de la sociedad. La IFRA aporta pruebas de que las fragancias favorecen la higiene, el bienestar emocional y la expresión cultural, de modo que los ingredientes sigan estando disponibles cuando aporten beneficios claros.
Un factor de evaluación de mezclas propuesto obligaría a los proveedores de productos perfumados a demostrar que la exposición combinada a múltiples sustancias se mantiene dentro de límites seguros. El sector ya genera amplios datos de exposición a través del Instituto de Investigación de Materiales de Fragancias y aplica las normas de la IFRA, lo que proporciona a los reguladores un punto de referencia con base científica.
A través de documentos de posición, talleres técnicos y un diálogo regular con la Comisión Europea y la Agencia Europea de Sustancias y Preparados Químicos, la IFRA busca normas proporcionadas que protejan a las personas y el medio ambiente, permitiendo al mismo tiempo que continúe la tradición europea de innovación olfativa.
The fragrance industry: Continuing the safety mission
As an industry operating in a highly complex global supply chain, the fragrance sector depends on rules that keep safety at the heart of the system, while still being practical to implement. Yet, under the current Cosmetic Product Regulation, no derogation has ever been granted in 12 years despite several dossier submissions, highlighting that the existing mechanism is not functioning as intended, and cannot play the role it was designed to support.
“The fragrance sector operates as a highly technical and integrated part of the European economy”
What the fragrance industry does
The fragrance sector operates as a highly technical and integrated part of the European economy, characterised by a deep commitment to rigorous safety science. This work begins with the exhaustive assessment of every ingredient, whether derived from natural sources or through synthetic chemistry. This ensures that all materials meet the most stringent standards for consumer protection. This scientific oversight provides the foundation for the safety profiles of the thousands of products used by consumers every day.
Reformulating a fragrance is a highly complex process. Because are made from dozens or even hundreds of individual ingredients, replacing even a single ingredient often requires rebalancing the entire formula to maintain the original olfactive character while simultaneously ensuring the stability, safety, and performance of the newly formulated product.
Fragrance sector workability requirement
For the fragrance sector, the concept of workability is fundamentally about ensuring that regulatory expectations can be met in practice[AP1] . Any assessment of ‘suitable alternatives’ must be anchored in what is technically, economically, and olfactively achievable. A regulatory requirement that necessitates disproving an infinite number of hypothetical combinations or technologies represents an insurmountable hurdle for a creative industry built on precision and specificity.
Furthermore, the industry requires implementation timelines that reflect the time required for the complex process of reformulation and supply-chain adjustments. Realistic transition periods prevents the unnecessary destruction of safe products and ensures that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the necessary window to adapt their production without facing significant market disruption.
A science-based approach must also consider how fragrances are actually used, As consumers primarily experienced them through the skin, regulatory decisions should focus on relevant exposure routes rather than relying solely on abstract hazard profiles.
Finally, it is essential that the regulatory framework recognizes the unique nature of natural ingredients. Ensuring that the derogation process remains accessible for substances which are constituents of natural ingredients is vital to preserving ingredients that are both culturally and economically significant to the European landscape, supporting a value chain that stretches from local farmers to global creators.
Balancing safety, clarity and innovation in European cosmetics regulation
Aurélie Perrichet, Regional Director Europe EMEA, and Johannes Weiss, Manager Public Affairs and Sustainability Europe, outline key the regulatory developments in EU chemicals policy
A long-standing challenge has been the potential banning of ingredients based on hazard classification, even where safe use in cosmetics can be demonstrated, leading to unnecessary reformulation and lost innovation.
In response, the European Commission proposed the Omnibus VI on Chemicals, recognising regulatory complexity as a barrier to investment.
For IFRA, the proposal brings meaningful improvements, including more workable labelling rules under CLP, realistic implementation timelines, and a more functional derogation system for cosmetics. In 2026, discussions will continue as EU institutions work towards a balanced, science-based outcome that protects consumers while supporting innovation and competitiveness.
