Seamus Hammond
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is a global coalition of the fragrance industry that ensures safe practices within the industry. Founded in 1973, the association has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, and its operations centre in Brussels, Belgium. IFRA works to reduce the risk for fragrance users while still preserving pleasant fragrances. Its day-to-day operations are led by its president, Alexander Mohr, who heads a team of more than ten staff members. IFRA's main decision-making body is its Board, headed by the IFRA Chairman, Paul Andersson. The association's standards are regularly updated, with the most recent iteration published in January 2022, integrating all foregoing standards up to and including the 50th Amendment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Organization | Global representative body of the fragrance industry |
| Year Founded | 1973 |
| Head Office | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Operations Centre | Brussels, Belgium |
| Membership | 7 multinational companies (Regular Members) and 23 national associations |
| Number of Supporting Members | 12 |
| Leadership | President: Alexander Mohr PhD; Chairman: Paul Andersson |
| Goal | Promote the safe use of fragrances through regulation |
| Recent Initiatives | IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter; 51st Amendment to regulations |
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What You'll Learn
- The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is a global coalition of the fragrance industry
- IFRA standards are regularly updated to ensure the safe use of fragrances
- IFRA's day-to-day operations are led by its president, Alexander Mohr
- IFRA's main decision-making body is its board, headed by the chairman, Paul Andersson
- In 2020, IFRA launched the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter to address sustainability in the fragrance industry
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is a global coalition of the fragrance industry
IFRA's membership includes seven multinational companies, known as 'Regular Members', and 23 national associations. There are also twelve 'Supporting Members' from countries where IFRA does not have a national association. The association is led by a president, currently Alexander Mohr PhD, and a Board headed by its chairman, Paul Andersson.
IFRA Standards are regularly updated to ensure the safe use of fragrances. These standards include prohibited and restricted ingredients, as well as specifications regarding their use. For example, the 51st Amendment, introduced in June 2023, added 48 new ingredient standards based on skin/dermal sensitivity, systemic toxicity, genotoxicity, and depigmentation. IFRA's regulations can lead to changes in the fragrances of products, as manufacturers may need to use new ingredients to replicate original scents. However, these changes are made in the interest of user safety.
In 2020, IFRA launched the "IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter" in association with the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI). This charter was created in response to the increasing focus on sustainability in the beauty and fragrance sectors. IFRA also prioritises inclusivity and expanding its global reach, especially in emerging markets.
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IFRA standards are regularly updated to ensure the safe use of fragrances
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body of the fragrance industry. It was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, with an operations centre in Brussels, Belgium. IFRA seeks to represent the collective interests of the industry and promote the safe use of fragrances through regulation.
Specification standards apply to fragrance ingredients for which specific chemical criteria are set. These criteria define the purity and composition requirements of the ingredients used in fragrance formulations. By having strict specifications for certain ingredients, the IFRA ensures that manufacturers use only high-quality and consistent materials, promoting the safety and reliability of fragranced products.
IFRA Amendments are updates made to the IFRA Standards to ensure they remain current with the latest scientific knowledge and safe use requirements. By constantly evaluating new scientific research, IFRA can identify and manage potential risks associated with certain fragrance ingredients. These amendments might involve restricting or banning the usage of certain materials that could cause allergies or sensitivities.
For example, the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Standards introduced a new scientific approach for determining the safe use of fragrance ingredients. This included a revised methodology of Quantitative Risk Assessment for fragrance ingredients, which is called QRA2. Additionally, the new approach combines skin sensitization, phototoxicity, and systemic toxicity assessment in one exercise, which led to a change in the IFRA categorisation system.
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IFRA's day-to-day operations are led by its president, Alexander Mohr
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body of the fragrance industry. It was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, with an operations centre in Brussels, Belgium. IFRA's day-to-day operations are led by its president, Alexander Mohr, who has held the role since 2024.
As president, Mohr heads a team of more than ten staff members, principally based in Brussels. He works alongside the Board, headed by Chairman Paul Andersson, who was appointed to the role in November 2024. The Board has twelve voting members: eight representing the Regular Members, and four regional representatives of national associations.
IFRA's primary purpose is to represent the collective interests of the fragrance industry and promote the safe use of fragrances through regulation. To this end, the association publishes and updates IFRA Standards, which outline prohibited, restricted, and specified ingredients for fragrances. These standards are designed to ensure that fragranced products are safe for consumers and minimise risk while preserving pleasant fragrances. For example, the 51st Amendment to the IFRA Standards, introduced in June 2023, added regulations for 48 new ingredients based on skin/dermal sensitivity, systemic toxicity, genotoxicity, and depigmentation.
In addition to its regulatory work, IFRA also focuses on sustainability in the fragrance industry. In 2020, in collaboration with the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI), IFRA launched the "IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter" to address the increasing focus on sustainability in the beauty and fragrance sectors.
IFRA's other day-to-day operations include strengthening its expertise and global reach. For example, the association appointed Leon Huang as Senior Advisor, Asia North, in 2025 to enhance its capabilities in public affairs and regulatory engagement in the Asia Pacific region.
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IFRA's main decision-making body is its board, headed by the chairman, Paul Andersson
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body of the fragrance industry. It was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, with an operations centre in Brussels, Belgium. IFRA's main goal is to represent the collective interests of the industry and promote the safe use of fragrances through regulation.
IFRA Standards are regularly updated to ensure the safe use of fragrances. These standards include prohibited and restricted ingredients, as well as specifications for their use. For example, the 51st Amendment, introduced in June 2023, added new ingredient standards and revised existing ones based on skin sensitivity, systemic toxicity, and other factors.
IFRA's day-to-day operations are led by its president, Alexander Mohr, who has held the role since 2024. However, the main decision-making body of IFRA is its Board, which is headed by the Chairman, Paul Andersson. The Board has twelve voting members: eight representing the Regular Members, and four regional representatives of national associations.
Paul Andersson, IFRA’s Chairman, took on the role in November 2024. His strategy focuses on inclusivity and expanding IFRA's global reach, especially in emerging markets. He aims to deepen collaboration with national associations and address consumer demand for sustainable and natural solutions. Additionally, he plans to integrate technology, such as artificial intelligence, into IFRA's approach to better serve the fragrance industry and consumers.
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In 2020, IFRA launched the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter to address sustainability in the fragrance industry
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body of the fragrance industry. In 2020, IFRA, in association with the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI), launched the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter to address sustainability in the fragrance industry. This charter was launched in response to the ongoing and increasing focus on sustainability in the beauty and fragrance sectors.
The IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter is a voluntary framework that aims to raise the bar for sustainability in the flavor and fragrance sectors. It is open, inclusive, and comprehensive, taking a 'life-cycle' approach to sustainability. The charter builds on the long-standing commitment to sustainable development that has been demonstrated by many individual companies in the flavor and fragrance industries. Over 100 companies have signed the charter, supporting a collective effort to enhance the industries' contribution to sustainable development.
The charter is structured around five focus areas:
- Ensure responsible sourcing throughout the value chain
- Reduce the industry's environmental footprint and address climate change
- Enhance the well-being of employees and ensure a rewarding work environment
- Ensure product safety and transparency
- Foster partnerships and collaborations
The IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter complements existing company sustainability programs and provides a platform for sharing best practices, benchmarking progress, and identifying opportunities for collaboration. It reflects the core principles that have guided the industries' work in the past and sets a path toward a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global representative body of the fragrance industry. It was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Geneva, Switzerland, and its operations centre in Brussels, Belgium.
The IFRA represents the collective interests of the fragrance industry and promotes the safe use of fragrances through regulation. The association works to reduce the risk for fragrance users while still preserving pleasant fragrances.
The IFRA regularly updates its standards to ensure safe practices within the industry. It prohibits certain ingredients, restricts others, and outlines specifications for their use. The association's day-to-day operations are led by its president, Alexander Mohr, who heads a team of more than ten staff members based principally in Brussels.
