IFRA showcases fragrance sector’s progress on sustainability in third joint report

This Report, created jointly with IOFI, showcases the significant progress driven by IFRA and its members in embedding sustainability throughout the fragrance value chain — from responsible sourcing and climate action to workplace wellbeing, product safety, and transparent reporting.

IFRA’s Commitment: Advancing a Common Sustainability Vision

At the heart of the Report lies the impact of the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter, a unique framework established five years ago by the two associations to guide the fragrance and flavour sectors in sustainable development. With a growing community of 150 signatories, including four new companies from China in 2025, the Charter reflects IFRA’s commitment to a global, collaborative, inclusive approach to sustainability.

The main focus of the Report is the results of a survey of signatories to the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter.

The 2025 survey of the Charter signatory companies reveals strong momentum in delivering on the Charter’s five Focus Areas and 17 Commitments:

• Responsible Sourcing: Over 60% of surveyed companies — representing more than 95% of market value — now have a global responsible sourcing strategy.
• Environmental Stewardship: 87% have environmental strategies in place or in development (up from 80% in 2023), with continuous improvements in managing water, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• People & Safety: Over 75% of companies implement global Occupational Health & Safety strategies, and over 90% promote work-life balance initiatives.
• Product Safety & Innovation: Nearly 90% engage proactively with customers on product safety, while sustainability considerations are increasingly integrated into research and innovation processes.
• Governance & Transparency: Almost 90% have or plan to establish global governance strategies, with more than two-thirds exceeding mandatory reporting requirements.

IFRA President Highlights Industry Progress and Future Outlook

Alexander Mohr, President of IFRA, emphasized:

“Five years on, the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter continues to be a cornerstone for our industry’s responsible growth. The steady increase in practical actions taken by fragrance companies demonstrates a clear commitment to advancing sustainability — for the planet, for people, for the society, and for business. We remain dedicated to supporting our members and the Charter signatories on their journey to meet and exceed the Charter’s ambitious goals.”

Driving Industry Learning and Collaboration

Beyond reporting on progress, IFRA has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the industry, spearheading initiatives, amongst others, on green chemistry, carbon foot printing, and responsible business practices. Through training programs, webinars, and practical tools, IFRA supports companies in navigating regulatory landscapes, managing risks, and embracing sustainability as a core business value.

About the Report

The IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Report 2025 reflects a joint effort of the fragrance and flavor sectors to chart the industries’ collective journey toward a more sustainable future. The Report, along with the full Charter text, is available at https://ifra-iofi.org/. A short summary of this report will shortly be available different languages.