IFRA – International Fragrance Association

What is IFRA

IFRA is the International Fragrance Association. Founded in 1973, IFRA’s primary mission is to ensure the safe use of fragrances worldwide. IFRA collaborates closely with scientific organisations, such as the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), to collect data and develop safety standards for fragrance ingredients.

In essence, IFRA represents fragrance manufacturers globally and provides a Code of Practice and Standards that restrict or prohibit certain ingredients to protect both consumers and the environment.

Why IFRA matters

  • Safety first: It protects consumer health by setting scientifically backed limits for fragrance materials.
  • Trust & credibility: It demonstrates responsibility and builds consumer confidence in products. By following IFRA Standards, companies ensure their fragrances remain safe, trusted, and compliant across all markets.

The IFRA Standards

IFRA establishes a set of guidelines to ensure the safe use of fragrance ingredients. These guidelines are grounded in scientific safety evaluations conducted by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM).

The Standards fall into three main categories:

  • Prohibitions – ingredients that are completely banned.
  • Restrictions – limits on how much, or in what way, an ingredient can be used.
  • Specifications – criteria for ingredient purity or quality.

The Standards are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the latest scientific research and safety data.

The current Standard – the 51st Amendment

The current Standard is the 51st Amendment, which was published on 3 July 2023. This amendment introduced new ingredient restrictions, revised maximum usage levels, and category adjustments based on the latest scientific findings.

What is an IFRA Certificate?

An IFRA Certificate is a formal document provided by us that demonstrates a fragrance’s compliance with the latest IFRA Standards. It also specifies the maximum allowable usage levels of the fragrance in the final application.

Understanding the Categories

IFRA classifies fragrance applications into 12 product categories, each representing a type of product with specific consumer exposure risks. Safe usage levels vary by category because products expose consumers to fragrances in different ways.

IFRA — How to Read the Certificate

  • Step 1: Review the IFRA Certificate provided.
  • Step 2: Identify the correct IFRA category for your product.
  • Step 3: Compare your fragrance usage level to the IFRA maximum.

Calculating Fragrance % for your product

Example: A body lotion (Category 5A) may allow 2% of a specific fragrance.

Fragrance amount (g) = Total product weight (g) × (IFRA max % ÷ 100)

Example Calculation:

  • Total product: 100 g
  • Max % from IFRA: 2%
  • Calculation: 100 × (2 ÷ 100) = 2 g
  • Result: The maximum fragrance allowed is 2 g.

IFRA Categories – Detailed

1: Products applied to the lips

  • Lip products of all types (solid and liquid lipsticks, balms), children’s toys

2: Products applied to the axillae

  • Deodorants and antiperspirant products of all types, body sprays (including body mists)

3: Products applied to the face/body using fingertips

  • Eye products of all types (eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, eye make-up, eye masks, etc.), eye moisturiser, facial makeup foundation, make-up remover for face and eyes, nose pore strips, wipes or refreshing tissues for face, neck, hands, body, body and face paint, facial masks

4: Products related to fine fragrance

  • Fine fragrance of all types (eau de toilette, parfum, cologne), solid perfume, aftershaves, scent strips for hydroalcoholic products

5: Products applied to the face and body using the hands (palms), primarily leave-on

  • 5A: Body lotion products applied to the body using the hands (palms), primarily leave-on
    • Body creams & oils, lotions of all types, foot care products (cream and powder), all powders and talcs (excluding baby products)
  • 5B: Face moisturiser products applied to the face using the hands (palms), primarily leave-on
    • Facial toners, moisturisers and creams
  • 5C: Hand cream products applied to the hands using the hands (palms), primarily leave-on
    • Hand cream, nail care products, hand sanitisers
  • 5D: Baby creams, baby oils and baby talc (palms)
    • Baby cream/lotion, baby oil, baby powders and talc

6: Products with oral and lip exposure

  • Toothpaste, mouthwash including breath sprays, strips & tablets

7: Products applied to the hair with some hand contact

  • 7A: Rinse-off products applied to the hair with some hand contact
    • Hair permanent or other chemical treatments (rinse-off), rinse-off hair dyes
  • 7B: Leave-on products applied to the hair with some hand contact
    • Hair sprays of all types (pumps, aerosol sprays, etc.), hair styling aids non-sprays (mousse, gels, leave-on conditioners), hair permanent or other chemical treatments (leave-on), leave-on hair dye, shampoo – dry (waterless), hair deodoriser

8: Products with significant anogenital exposure

  • Intimate wipes, baby wipes, toilet paper (wet)

9: Products with body and hand exposure, primarily rinse-off

  • Bar soap, shampoo of all types, facial cleansers, conditioner, liquid soap, body washes and shower gels of all types, baby wash, bath shampoo, bath gels, foams, mousses, salts, oils and other products added to bathwater, foot care products (feet are placed in a bath for soaking), shaving creams of all types (sticks, gels, foams, etc.), all depilatories (including facial) and waxes for mechanical hair removal, pet shampoo

10: Household care products with mostly hand contact

  • 10A: Household care excluding aerosol products
    • Household care products with hand contact (excluding aerosols/sprays), hand dishwashing detergent (including concentrates), toilet seat wipes, fabric softeners, household cleaning products including laundry detergent, soft surface cleaners, carpet cleaners, furniture polishes, sprays and wipes, leather cleaning wipes, stain removers, fabric-enhancing sprays, treatment products for textiles (e.g., starch sprays, fabric treated with fragrances after wash, deodorisers for textiles or fabrics), fragranced oil for lamp rings, reed diffusers, potpourri, liquid refills for air fresheners (non-cartridge systems), ironing water (odourised distilled water)
  • 10B: Household aerosol/spray products
    • Household care aerosol/spray products, animal sprays — applied to animals of all types, air freshener sprays, manual including aerosol and pump, aerosol/spray insecticides

11: Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate

  • 11A: Without UV exposure
    • Feminine hygiene conventional pads/liners, diapers (baby and adult), adult incontinence pants/pads, toilet paper (dry)
  • 11B: With potential UV exposure
    • Tights with moisturisers, scented socks, gloves, facial tissues (dry tissues), napkins, paper towels, wheat bags, facial masks (paper/protective, e.g., surgical masks not used as medical devices), fertilisers (solid – pellet or powder)

12: Products not intended for direct skin contact, minimal or insignificant transfer to skin

  • Candles of all types (including encased), laundry detergents for machine wash with minimal skin contact (e.g., liquid tabs, pods), automated air freshener plug-ins, air delivery systems, air freshening crystals, incense sticks & scent beads, toilet gel, dishwashing detergent and deodorisers for machine wash