The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) recently announced that one out of the 50 products randomly tested from around the world as part of the third cycle of its Compliance Program (May 2008 to April 2009) has been identified as containing a recently banned fragrance material.
“This is the first time we have identified a banned fragrance material in the three years of running the Compliance Program,” explained Jean-Pierre Houri, IFRA Director General.
The IFRA Compliance Program involves the analysis of a variety of consumer products for the presence of fragrance ingredients regulated by IFRA Standards. Tested products are selected at random from the different categories - fragrance, cosmetics and toiletries and household and detergents - from ten randomly selected IFRA member countries each year. Tests are performed, independently from IFRA, by Eurofins Scientific, a leading international group of laboratories.
IFRA said it get in touch with the finished product manufacturer, which was not named, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of the fragrance material and whether or not it constitutes a case of non-compliance.
“Since the material has only recently been banned it is possible that the finished product is part of batch that is simply running its course through the retail pipeline. According to our procedures we will now investigate the matter to establish the facts and consider appropriate action if required,” commented Jean-Pierre Houri.
As a non-governmental organisation, IFRA has no compulsory power but the association said it would “named and shamed” the concerned company in case it would no accept to comply with the standard.
