Short answer: The IFRA Standards are the fragrance industry's international self-regulatory rules, setting the maximum levels at which fragrance ingredients can be used safely in different product categories. Fragrance allergens are ingredients that, under cosmetics law, must be named separately in the ingredient list on the label when present above certain thresholds.
What is IFRA?
IFRA (International Fragrance Association) is the global trade body of the fragrance industry. Its IFRA Standards, based on scientific assessments, contain three types of rules for fragrance ingredients:
- Prohibition: the ingredient must not be used in fragrances at all.
- Restriction: the ingredient must not exceed a maximum level set per product category.
- Specification: the ingredient must meet certain purity or quality criteria.
How do the IFRA product categories work?
IFRA groups products into 12 categories by how and how long they contact the skin. Lip products, fine fragrances, rinse-off products (shampoo, shower gel) and products not intended for skin contact (candles, air fresheners), for example, sit in different categories. The same fragrance can be used at a high level in a candle but be subject to a much lower limit in a lip product.
Fragrance suppliers issue an IFRA Certificate of Conformity for each fragrance, showing the maximum permitted level per category. Asking for it ensures you stay within the safe level in your product.
Fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels
Under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, fragrance generally appears in the ingredient list as "parfum", but certain allergens listed in Annex III must be named separately when present above these thresholds:
| Product type | Labelling threshold |
|---|---|
| Leave-on products (cream, perfume, lotion) | above 0.001% |
| Rinse-off products (shampoo, soap, shower gel) | above 0.01% |
What changed with Regulation 2023/1545?
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 extends the list of fragrance allergens that must be declared on the label from 24 to more than 80. The transition timeline is:
- From 31 July 2026, products newly placed on the market must comply.
- Until 31 July 2028, products already placed on the market under the old rules may still be made available.
In Turkey, cosmetic products are governed by the Cosmetic Products Regulation published in Official Gazette No. 32184 on 8 May 2023, which is aligned with EU legislation. We recommend following TİTCK announcements for current annex lists and amendments.
What should you do as a manufacturer?
- Ask your supplier for the IFRA conformity information for every fragrance you use.
- Request the fragrance's allergens and their levels, and calculate the final level in your product from your dosage.
- Add allergens above the threshold to the ingredient list on your label.
- Review your labels against the new allergen list before the 2026 deadline.
This article is for general information; consult your safety assessor or regulatory adviser for an assessment of your product.