Being open about our policies and programs

For many years, IFRA has adopted policies and programs to increase consumer trust in fragrance and increase transparency.

Our flagship programs relating to the safe use of fragrance ingredients and mixtures are the IFRA Code of Practice and its centerpiece, the IFRA Standards.

We also engage with policymakers to develop workable regulation.

The IFRA Code of Practice commits all IFRA members to comply with applicable laws and adopt good operating practices. It also obliges members to abide by the IFRA Standards, our safe use program that bans, limits or sets criteria for the use of certain ingredients, based on scientific evidence and consumer insights.

The IFRA Standards are publicly accessible in full on the IFRA website. All relevant guidance and technical documents are also published. The purpose of the IFRA Standards, and the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of their development are explained in clear and simple language. There is a clear overview of the Standard-setting process and the relevant scientific and independent organizations involved in the process. Safety assessment data is made available by the industry’s scientific assessment body, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM).

In addition, our policy positions on a series of issues, including alternatives to animal testing, biodiversity rules, aromatherapy, chemicals policy, and labelling rules are regularly published on the IFRA website and presented in international forums.

We work closely, positively and in a collaborative way with regulators around the world to ensure legislation that works for consumers, our industry and the environment.