IFRA is backing down on some perfume ingredient bans - but not enough

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I ignore IFRA. I'm an independent artisan perfumer who is not a member of an organization that is a member of IFRA, so I have no danger of being "publicly shamed" (their words) if I use an aromatic that exceeds their allowable levels, or is prohibited by IFRA. I know the dangers of phototoxicity, allergens, and other problems that may be caused by some aromatics, and I take care forumulating my perfumes to safeguard the safety of my customers as much as possible. 

There is a backlash against IFRA, and this shows their weakening stance. Since their regs are built upon, IMO, bad science, I hope it all goes away soon and the mainstream perfumes of old can return. 

Here's a link to their latest statement, where the effervescent Jean-Pierre Houri talks about how “This year’s Amendment will hardly affect the palettes of perfumers.” Well, they've destroyed the palettes of perfumers in the past few decades, and that's why many mainstream perfumes smell like fruity synthetic overwhelming dreck. 

Mercy, I've been posting about IFRA for over three years now, and the FDA Globalization Act. I always swear I'll take a break, and then something just fires me up again. "Hardly affect" did it for me this time ;-)

Comments

  1. AnyasGardenPerfumes6/03/2010 3:09 PM

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  2. queen_cupcake6/03/2010 4:15 PM

    Hurrah and thank you for saying this. I am just an amateur perfume aficionado, but I am quite dismayed by IFRA's actions (the little I know about them). Bad science? I'll have to take your word for this, as I haven't the time to look into it. More and more, I am drawn to the artisans (also vintage) and less to the industrial.

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