A PDF of this joint statement can be found: here

The proposal responds constructively to concerns regarding administrative and compliance burdens. In particular, it clarifies and rationalises the interaction between the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (CLP) and the Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR), thus preventing unintentional bans of ingredients that are safely used in cosmetics, while ensuring consumer protection remains paramount.

John Chave, Director General of Cosmetics Europe said, “The proposal marks a step in the right direction. Clarification of Article 15.2 provides legal certainty and predictability to the practical application of the derogation mechanism for safe cosmetic substances. Allowing derogations following assessments by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and which are based on actual conditions of cosmetic use, is critical to ensuring continued high consumer protection while reducing administrative and compliance burdens on businesses.”

Andrea Maltagliati, Secretary-General of the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI), said "This proposal provides realistic reformulation timelines and transitional periods for compliance that acknowledge the complexities of cosmetic formulations. This will significantly aid ingredient manufacturers in adapting safely and effectively."

Andrey Mitov, President of the European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO) said, "We commend the Commission’s explicit recognition of essential oils and natural ingredients, integral to Europe's cultural and bio-economic fabric. These amendments secure the viability of thousands of SMEs dependent on these materials."

Catherine Crowley, Chair of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT) said, "The proposal acknowledges the safe history and global cultural importance of essential oils, aligning regulation with actual risk assessment. This demonstrates the EU's commitment to global leadership in our manufacturing, chemicals management, innovation and consumer safety overall."

Alexander Mohr, President of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) said, "The Commission’s proposal is a welcome step towards simplified and more effective regulation. Key fragrance ingredients, despite safe use, have increasingly been at risk due to the domino effect of upstream chemical rules and their downstream impact. We call on the co-legislators to improve the proposal, in particular to recognise that dermal exposure remains the main way that consumers come into contact with cosmetics and fragrances.”

The fragrance industry encourages co-legislators to build on this proposal to keep Europe moving in the right direction, recognising that the dermal route is the primary exposure route for cosmetics. . That said, IFRA regrets that the CLP component did not consider more robust scientific approaches, inter alia to take into account that the dermal route is the primary exposure route for cosmetics."

Mark Smith, Director General of the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE) said, "We welcome the Commission’s explicit commitment to safeguarding natural and organic cosmetics. This ensures European consumers retain access to the products they trust."

Overall, the Omnibus proposal goes some way to reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, particularly empowering SMEs that play a vital role in the fragrance and cosmetics value chain across Europe. This may provide some support for small businesses driving safety and innovation in cosmetics and fragrance.

The proposal represents a positive move towards making the EU’s competitiveness ambitions more tangible for the European fragrance, cosmetics, and essential oils sectors. It reinforces the central role of safety in EU legislation and acknowledges our socio-economic footprint as part of the broader chemicals agenda, recognising the essential place of our products in people’s everyday lives.

Co-signatories and contacts: (alphabetical order)

Cosmetics Europe
European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI)
European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO)
International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT)
International Fragrance Association (IFRA)
International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE)
SME United

About the associations mentioned above

About Cosmetics Europe

Cosmetics Europe is the European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry. Our members include cosmetics and personal care manufacturers, as well as associations representing our industry at national level across Europe.

Gabriela Lopez Lopez, GLopez@cosmeticseurope.eu

About EFEO

The European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO) is committed to raising awareness among policymakers, regulators, and authorities regarding essential oils and their derivatives. EFEO advocates for a comprehensive understanding of their uses, cultural and economic importance, and the potential impact of legislative and regulatory measures on the sector.

Rebecca Lentini, rebecca.lentini@nove.eu

About EFfCI

EFfCI is the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients, a trade association that brings together European manufacturers of synthetic and natural ingredients for the cosmetics and personal care industry.

Andrea Maltagliati, secretariat@effci.com

About IFEAT

The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT) is a trade association founded in 1977. It represents the interests of companies involved in the production, processing, trading, and manufacturing of the many thousands of ingredients used in flavours and fragrances. Among its activities, IFEAT aims to raise awareness among political stakeholders regarding the nature, applications, and cultural and economic significance of essential oils and their derivatives.

Rebecca Lentini, rebecca.lentini@nove.eu

About IFRA

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global voice of the fragrance industry. Since its creation in 1973, IFRA has brought together global fragrance houses companies, national associations, and regional fragrance ingredient manufacturers or compounders committed to ensuring the safe use of fragrance ingredients, grounded in science and responsibility. IFRA represents fragrance producers, works with regulators and international partners, and supports sustainability and innovation across the value chain.

Charles de Lusignan, cdelusignan@ifrafragrance.org

About NATRUE

NATRUE is a Brussels-based international non-profit association committed to promoting and protecting Natural and Organic Cosmetics worldwide. Founded in 2007, we provide a home to all true friends of Natural and Organic Cosmetics and welcome all who commit to our high standards of quality and integrity.

Mark Smith, msmith@natrue.eu

About SME United

SMEunited, formerly known as UEAPME, is the association of crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 65 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited is a recognised employers’ organisation and European Social Partner and acts on behalf of crafts and SMEs in the European Social Dialogue and in discussions with the EU institutions.

We represent national cross-sectoral Craft and SME federations, European SME branch organisations and associate members. We speak on behalf of the 25,8 million SMEs in Europe which employ almost 88,7 million people. We are a non-profit seeking and non-partisan organisation.