Explain IFRA standarts

What is IFRA?

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body for the fragrance industry, established to promote the safe creation, production, and use of fragrances. It represents fragrance creators, suppliers, and users worldwide, collaborating with organizations like the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) to conduct scientific research and set voluntary safety standards.  IFRA’s work focuses on self-regulation, ensuring that fragrances in consumer products do not pose risks to human health or the environment. 
What Are the IFRA Standards?
The IFRA Standards are a comprehensive set of voluntary rules and guidelines that dictate the safe use of fragrance ingredients in consumer products. They form part of IFRA’s Code of Practice, which is a self-regulatory framework adopted by the industry.  These standards are based on rigorous scientific assessments of potential risks, such as skin sensitization, toxicity, phototoxicity, and environmental impact.  They apply to fragrance mixtures (compounds) incorporated into finished goods like cosmetics, perfumes, household cleaners, soaps, candles, and air fresheners. 
There are three main types of IFRA Standards:
•  Prohibition: A complete ban on the use of certain materials if scientific data shows they cannot be used safely at any level. This is rare but applied when risks (e.g., high toxicity) outweigh benefits. 
•  Restriction: Limits on the maximum concentration of an ingredient in a finished product, often varying by product category based on exposure levels. For example, a material might be restricted to 0.5% in a leave-on skin product but allowed at higher levels in rinse-off items. 
•  Specification: Additional conditions, such as purity requirements or stability criteria (e.g., preventing oxidation in ingredients like limonene), to ensure safe use. 
The standards do not apply directly to raw materials (like essential oils) but to compounded fragrance mixtures. However, suppliers may provide IFRA conformity statements for raw materials to guide formulators. 
Purpose of the IFRA Standards
The primary goal is to protect consumers by minimizing risks associated with fragrance use, such as allergic reactions, irritation, or long-term health effects.  They also address environmental concerns, like aquatic toxicity from ingredients that may enter waterways.  By providing a unified, science-based framework, the standards build trust among consumers, regulators, and the industry, often influencing or aligning with legal requirements (e.g., EU cosmetics regulations).  Compliance is voluntary but widely adopted, as non-compliance can lead to market restrictions or reputational damage.

How the IFRA Standards Are Developed
The development process is collaborative, transparent, and rooted in science: 
1.  Data Collection and Research: IFRA identifies fragrance materials for review and submits data to RIFM, including chemical composition, exposure scenarios, and usage patterns. RIFM compiles a comprehensive safety dossier, conducting new studies if data gaps exist (e.g., toxicology tests).
2.  Independent Review: An independent Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety (comprising dermatologists, toxicologists, pathologists, and environmental scientists) evaluates the dossier. They assess risks using methodologies like Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA2), which considers aggregate exposure from multiple products. 
3.  Drafting and Consultation: If risks are identified, IFRA drafts a standard. This undergoes a 60-day consultation with members, stakeholders, and the public for feedback or additional data.
4.  Publication: The final standard is issued as an “Amendment” to the IFRA Code of Practice. Assessments are peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals for transparency. 
This process ensures standards evolve with new science, such as incorporating real-life consumer habits via statistical models. 
Product Categories in IFRA Standards
IFRA classifies consumer products into categories based on exposure type (e.g., skin contact, inhalation, oral) and usage (e.g., leave-on vs. rinse-off). This determines allowable concentrations, with lower limits for high-exposure categories to prevent issues like sensitization.  As of the 49th Amendment (effective 2021-2022), there are 12 main categories (expanded from 11), with subcategories (e.g., 5A-5D). For multi-use products, the strictest limit applies.  Here’s a breakdown:
•  Category 1: Products applied to lips (e.g., lipsticks, balms). Often requires GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) ingredients due to potential ingestion. 
•  Category 2: Products applied to axillae (e.g., deodorants, antiperspirants).
•  Category 3: Products applied to face/body using fingertips (e.g., eye creams, facial masks).
•  Category 4: Fine fragrances (e.g., perfumes, colognes).
•  Category 5A: Body lotions applied to body (leave-on, high exposure).
•  Category 5B: Face moisturizers (leave-on).
•  Category 5C: Hand creams (leave-on).
•  Category 5D: Baby creams, oils, talcs (sensitive skin).
•  Category 6: Oral products (e.g., mouthwash, toothpaste; often GRAS required). 
•  Category 7A: Rinse-off hair products (e.g., shampoos).
•  Category 7B: Leave-on hair products (e.g., styling aids).
•  Category 8: Products with significant ano-genital exposure (e.g., intimate wipes).
•  Category 9: Rinse-off body products (e.g., soaps, shower gels). 
•  Category 10A: Household care (rinse-off, non-aerosol; e.g., detergents).
•  Category 10B: Household aerosols (e.g., air freshener sprays).
•  Category 11A: Products with skin contact but minimal fragrance transfer, no UV exposure (e.g., jewelry).
•  Category 11B: Similar to 11A but with potential UV exposure (e.g., sunglasses).
•  Category 12: Products not intended for skin contact (e.g., candles, reed diffusers; often no restrictions or high limits). 
Some sources mention up to 18 categories in later updates, but the core 12 align with the 51st Amendment (June 2023).  Detailed tables are in the IFRA-RIFM Guidance document. 
Amendments Process
Standards are updated via amendments, typically every 3 years, but urgent “off-cycle” changes can occur.  The latest as of your query (considering data up to 2023) is the 51st Amendment, published in June 2023, which harmonized categories and updated limits based on QRA2 methodology.  Implementation timelines vary: 2-9 months for new products, 13-28 months for existing ones, depending on the change type.  Amendments are notified with guidance, and full lists are available in the online IFRA Standards Library.
Compliance and Certificates
Fragrance suppliers issue IFRA Conformity Certificates confirming a mixture complies with standards for specified categories and concentrations.  These are not official certifications but declarations. End-product manufacturers must ensure overall compliance, often via safety assessments.  Non-compliance can result in product recalls or bans in regulated markets.
Key Additional Aspects
•  Science-Based Approach: Relies on “the dose makes the poison” principle, using data from animal studies, human trials, and modeling. 
•  Allergens: Aligns with regulations like EU’s 26 (now expanded to 82) fragrance allergens requiring labeling. 
•  Sustainability: Increasing focus on environmental standards, e.g., PBT/vPvB assessments.
•  Global Impact: While voluntary, IFRA standards influence laws in the EU, US, and beyond, promoting harmonization. 
For the most current details (as of September 2025), check the IFRA website, as amendments may have occurred since 2023.