Global Fragrance Summit opens in Singapore with a focus on standards, sustainability and innovation in Asia Pacific

Opening the summit, IFRA President Alexander Mohr welcomed delegates, saying “It is a great honor to open the IFRA Global Fragrance Summit 2025. This conference is the International Fragrance Association’s (IFRA) flagship event. It is an important opportunity for stakeholders in the worldwide fragrance sector to come together to learn, debate and analyze collective opportunities and trends. This year we chose Singapore, reflecting the growing importance of this region to the industry and, concomitantly, IFRA’s activities”.

In his welcome address, IFRA Chairman Paul Andersson reiterated the importance of engagement in the Asia Pacific region, saying “The decision to meet here in Singapore this week was not an accident. This city has become one of the world’s most important hubs for perfumery. The future of fragrance is not only being written in Paris or New York. It is being also crafted here — in Singapore, in Shanghai, in Mumbai, in Jakarta. And the story will not be one of East versus West, but of connections, harmonization, and shared progress.

Mr Andersson also set out his priorities for the event and for the sector as a whole, adding “My vision is simple: a fragrance industry that is safe, sustainable, and trusted. This is where Asia-Pacific has an important role to play. With its scale, its diversity, and its dynamism, the region could be a lead in safe and sustainable fragrance. IFRA looks forward to being able to support that vision”.

Day one included an update on the IFRA Standards, a panel on advancing standards for global alignment, discussions on ingredient defense, and perspectives from across Asia-Pacific. The program features contributions from authorities and experts across the region, as well as sessions on consumer perception and safety, and on the role of Singapore as a hub for sustainable innovation.

The IFRA Global Fragrance Summit is kindly co-hosted by the Fragrance and Flavor Association of Singapore (FFAS). Closing the day, Peter Ong, President of FFAS underlined the core messages from the discussions. “We’ve been reminded, very clearly, that standards are the backbone of our industry. Without harmonization, there is confusion. Without safety, there is no trust”, said Dr Ong. “This Summit underscores Singapore’s role as a bridge — a bridge between cultures, a bridge between regulators and industry, a bridge between tradition and innovation”.

The summit continues on 16 October with a sustainability showcase, innovation sessions and policy outlooks, followed by a guided visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens on 17 October.