The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) has officially launched its Asia-Pacific branch office with a promise to renew its focus on safety, sustainability and partnerships in the region. The global trade body that represents the fragrance industry, celebrated the launch of the new Singapore-based operation with an evening of discussions and seminars that highlighted “the positive role fragrance plays in people’s lives, the contribution of the fragrance industry to economic wellbeing, and the role of IFRA in setting high standards for safe use and environmental sustainability in the industry”.
"The Asia-Pacific region is a major contributor to the global expansion of our industry: it is the world’s fastest-growing consumer market for fragranced products, a major sourcing hub for raw materials, and home to a growing manufacturing and research and development center. It is therefore vital that IFRA is present on the ground to represent the fragrance industry, develop closer partnerships with stakeholders and authorities, and to highlight the important leadership role we play on safety and our work on sustainability," commented Michael Carlos, Chairman of the IFRA Board.
One of IFRA APAC’s priorities will be to increase awareness of the IFRA Standards, a global self-regulatory system to which all IFRA members must adhere. The Standards, which ban or restrict use of certain fragrance ingredients, are based on scientific safety assessments by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), with the work overseen by an independent Expert Panel.
"In the APAC region, we have already seen the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive refer to the IFRA Standards. We will use the opportunities presented by being based in the region to increase understanding of the Standards, build partnerships and ensure that the Standards become a reference point for the safe use of fragrance ingredients," added Martina Bianchini, the President of IFRA.
The IFRA APAC Branch Office will coordinate outreach with authorities throughout the region, working in coordination with the six IFRA National Member Associations in Asia-Pacific.
