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How Will Tough New European Union Rules On Perfume

Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Beauty Talk
Forum Name: Perfumery
Forum Description: Aromas and scents - favs and finds
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=81564
Printed Date: April 30 2024 at 6:05pm


Topic: How Will Tough New European Union Rules On Perfume
Posted By: oskana
Subject: How Will Tough New European Union Rules On Perfume
Date Posted: May 24 2014 at 6:08am
As recently reported by new giant Reuters (see link below), by the end of 2014, new EU rules regarding fragrances is expected to have a major impact on European perfume makers. 

It's expected the new EU perfume regulations which include ingredient bans and new labeling requirements will force big perfume players in the $31 billion-a-year perfume industry such as Chanel to reformulate and repackage many of their scents. 

Perfume Makers Warn Of Increased Costs & Potential Changes in Beloved Scents

Not only are the new regulations expected to cause an increase in the price of many popular fragrances, it's expected that some of the smaller perfume makers may not survive in the wake of the new requirements which can be very costly.

Limited Use Of 12 Key Perfume Ingredients

The new regulations include limited use as well as some outright bans of some very popular ingredients such as such as citral, found in lemon and tangerine oils, coumarin, found in tropical tonka beans and eugenol, found in rose oil. 

Altogether 12 key ingredients will be eliminated and/or controlled.

The primary purpose of the new EU fragrance regulations?  Protecting consumers with allergies.

Although designed to protect consumers who have allergies to certain fragrances, the new EU regulations will create a major disruption within the perfume industry.

Potential Loss Of Signature Scents

Some smaller companies may not survive the new and costly requirements.  Other worry that some fragrances may potentially lose their signature scents due to the EU requirements for altered formulations.

There will also be increased costs due to reformation and repackaging. These new costs will ultimately be passed onto the consumers who buy their beloved scents.

Banned Ingredients

The banned ingredients include oak moss and tree moss, two of the most widely used base notes which are designed to extend the life of a scent and provide fragrance depth. 

The widely popular Chanel No. 5 uses such mosses.  Chanel has announced that they are working on alternative formulas.

The EU is also planning on banning HICC, a popular synthetic molecule which replicates the lily of the valley smell.

Reaction From Chanel, Hermes, Dior & Guerlain

The major perfume manufactures such as Chanel, Hermes, Dior and Guerlain are progressively changing their formulas although it can take more than 6 months to reformulate a perfume and a minimum of 30 tests. 

Labeling will also be impacted significantly because the new regulations require perfume makers to inform consumers about potential allergens

The number of ingredients that must be labelled has risen from 26 to more than 80.

What do you think?  Will these new rules impact your favorite fragrances?  Will you look for alternative fragrances? 

Do you currently have a fragrance you love that uses the future banned mosses or lily of the valley related ingredients?

Thoughts?

For more details:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/23/eu-perfume-idUSL6N0O65HW20140523


Replies:
Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: May 29 2014 at 3:11am
Great topic.

If I had to guess what the impact will be besides higher prices and loss of much smaller "boutique" brands, I would say that there will be a trickle down effect whereas the same regulations make their way to the US and neighboring countries. 

Ultimately it may also lead to perfume hoarding. 

It will be interesting to see the fallout from all of this.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


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