Fragrance
More safety information:
The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) supports a rigorous safety review program that systematically assesses the safety of fragrance ingredients. Safety data for all fragrance ingredients that are commercially available and offered for sale by a RIFM member must be submitted by the ingredient manufacturer to RIFM for inclusion in the Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Database. Under this program, manufacturers must provide all available information on specifications, use and use levels as well as copies of test reports and other safety related information for examination by the REXPAN. In particular, when fragrance manufacturers have evidence that warrants creation or modification of a Standard, they must inform IFRA and supply the data to RIFM.
In evaluating a fragrance ingredient, consideration should be given to possible effects on the skin, including skin irritation and sensitization, with special attention paid to the effect of sunlight, should the ingredient absorb ultra-violet radiation. Systemic toxicity should be considered in relation to the quantities of fragrance material used and likelihood of entry into the body. The safety evaluation of the ingredients requires the review of consumer exposure information and supporting safety data. An important component in establishing priorities, essential to a thorough safety assessment, is a survey of the total usage of individual fragrance ingredients. IFRA generally carries out a worldwide survey of fragrance ingredient usage every three to five years. This survey is conducted by requests made to all suppliers or compounders of fragrance materials on record, whether members of IFRA member associations or not.
Also critical to a thorough safety assessment of individual fragrance ingredients are data on levels, and routes of exposure of consumers, to individual fragrance ingredients. These data are determined from a collaborative effort of IFRA and various cosmetic companies or trade associations, with the data being analyzed and summarized in documents prepared by IFRA. All data collected as described above are communicated routinely to RIFM, for consideration by REXPAN – the independent expert review panel that operates under the management of RIFM. If there are inadequate data from the sources mentioned above, a toxicological program will be designed, which includes dermatological and systemic endpoints as described in the RIFM “Criteria Document” (see below). Possible environmental effects should be considered in the assessment of substances’ use.
As a result of safety assessments, the usage of certain fragrance ingredients has been restricted and these restrictions are set forth in IFRA Standards. Standards that impose a quantitative limit on the use of fragrance materials are expressed as a maximum concentration of fragrance material in the consumer product. It is therefore essential that fragrance suppliers inform manufacturers of consumer products, who use or intend to use a fragrance compound, that due to the presence of a restricted ingredient, the compound should only be used up to a specified maximum concentration or in well-defined applications.
Fragrance ingredients that deviate from generally accepted quality standards or that are not covered in the IFRA Code of Practice (section 4.2) should be used only after satisfactory evaluation according to the requirements described in annex 4 of the IFRA Code of Practice. The IFRA Scientific Committee collects data about the safety of a fragrance ingredient and provides this information to RIFM for the safety evaluation of fragrance ingredients including volume of use, ingredient use level in fragrance compositions and results of testing programs made available by the originators of such programs. This is in addition to the data collection and generation efforts of RIFM by consistent review of the scientific literature, submission of member company studies and RIFM sponsored research and testing.
To help ensure that the standards are followed, IFRA has implemented a compliance program.
Find out more about the IFRA Compliance Program at the following link:
http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/Code,+Standards+Compliance/Compl...
Link for the IFRA Standards for Fragrance Ingredients:
http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/Code,+Standards+Compliance/IFRA+...
Click here for more information on fragrances
Click here for more information on phthalates
Click here for more information on phthalates in baby care products
In evaluating a fragrance ingredient, consideration should be given to possible effects on the skin, including skin irritation and sensitization, with special attention paid to the effect of sunlight, should the ingredient absorb ultra-violet radiation. Systemic toxicity should be considered in relation to the quantities of fragrance material used and likelihood of entry into the body. The safety evaluation of the ingredients requires the review of consumer exposure information and supporting safety data. An important component in establishing priorities, essential to a thorough safety assessment, is a survey of the total usage of individual fragrance ingredients. IFRA generally carries out a worldwide survey of fragrance ingredient usage every three to five years. This survey is conducted by requests made to all suppliers or compounders of fragrance materials on record, whether members of IFRA member associations or not.
Also critical to a thorough safety assessment of individual fragrance ingredients are data on levels, and routes of exposure of consumers, to individual fragrance ingredients. These data are determined from a collaborative effort of IFRA and various cosmetic companies or trade associations, with the data being analyzed and summarized in documents prepared by IFRA. All data collected as described above are communicated routinely to RIFM, for consideration by REXPAN – the independent expert review panel that operates under the management of RIFM. If there are inadequate data from the sources mentioned above, a toxicological program will be designed, which includes dermatological and systemic endpoints as described in the RIFM “Criteria Document” (see below). Possible environmental effects should be considered in the assessment of substances’ use.
As a result of safety assessments, the usage of certain fragrance ingredients has been restricted and these restrictions are set forth in IFRA Standards. Standards that impose a quantitative limit on the use of fragrance materials are expressed as a maximum concentration of fragrance material in the consumer product. It is therefore essential that fragrance suppliers inform manufacturers of consumer products, who use or intend to use a fragrance compound, that due to the presence of a restricted ingredient, the compound should only be used up to a specified maximum concentration or in well-defined applications.
Fragrance ingredients that deviate from generally accepted quality standards or that are not covered in the IFRA Code of Practice (section 4.2) should be used only after satisfactory evaluation according to the requirements described in annex 4 of the IFRA Code of Practice. The IFRA Scientific Committee collects data about the safety of a fragrance ingredient and provides this information to RIFM for the safety evaluation of fragrance ingredients including volume of use, ingredient use level in fragrance compositions and results of testing programs made available by the originators of such programs. This is in addition to the data collection and generation efforts of RIFM by consistent review of the scientific literature, submission of member company studies and RIFM sponsored research and testing.
To help ensure that the standards are followed, IFRA has implemented a compliance program.
Find out more about the IFRA Compliance Program at the following link:
http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/Code,+Standards+Compliance/Compl...
Link for the IFRA Standards for Fragrance Ingredients:
http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/Code,+Standards+Compliance/IFRA+...
Click here for more information on fragrances
Click here for more information on phthalates
Click here for more information on phthalates in baby care products
More scientific information:
The history of fragrance and fragrance ingredients spans many centuries and is among the first cosmetics used by early man. The early Egyptians used perfumed balms as part of religious ceremonies and Myrrh and Frankincense were used in rituals. The science of perfume and fragrance has changed significantly over the years from the original isolation of ingredients from plant and animal sources to a sophisticated science that allows the preparation of unique new materials and sensitive methods for controlling both the composition and application. Fragrance chemistry is an extremely complex science that is combined with the art of fragrances. Fragrance chemistry is a highly specialized field that requires knowledge of the various substances that at classified as exerting an effect on the olfactory system and how these substances interact to produce the perceived odor.
Many things have to be considered when formulating a fragrance including the compatibility of ingredients and their interaction with packaging. Also, it is important to consider the properties of the ingredients after they are added tom the product and then applied to the skin. Some fragrances evaporate very rapidly while others may be left behind. The interplay of these properties is very important in achieving the desired final effect to yield an aesthetically pleasing product.
There is considerable information available on the internet about the history and science of fragrances and the reader can utilize this resource to conduct additional research.
Many things have to be considered when formulating a fragrance including the compatibility of ingredients and their interaction with packaging. Also, it is important to consider the properties of the ingredients after they are added tom the product and then applied to the skin. Some fragrances evaporate very rapidly while others may be left behind. The interplay of these properties is very important in achieving the desired final effect to yield an aesthetically pleasing product.
There is considerable information available on the internet about the history and science of fragrances and the reader can utilize this resource to conduct additional research.
