About the FMA

The members of the Fragrance Materials Association of the United States (FMA) include companies that invent and then manufacture mixtures of fragrance ingredients for use in a wide variety of products, including fine fragrances, shampoos, soaps and detergents. The members of FMA also include the suppliers of those ingredients.

FMA's primary service to the U.S. fragrance industry involves legislative and regulatory work on the industry's behalf. Its activities are closely coordinated with those of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), which undertakes scientific research to support product safety for the industry worldwide.

In fulfilling its mission for the industry, FMA interacts with governmental bodies and other organizations on all levels—state, federal and international. FMA has grown to meet the needs of today's challenges to the fragrance industry. Its committee structure, its Washington-based office, and the members of its Board of Directors are all geared up to serve a wide range of the industry's interests in a responsive and effective manner.

FMA was incorporated in the District of Columbia on November 15, 1979, as the successor organization to the Essential Oil Association of U.S.A., Inc. (EOA).

FMA traces its history to the Essential Oil Dealers Association (EODA) which was founded in 1927. This trade group, formed on the initiative of E.V. Killeen of George Lueders & Company, was composed of approximately 30 essential oil dealers, importers and processors, who joined together to deal with common problems confronting the trade. In 1931, the EODA was broadened in scope, from a primary interest in natural essential oils, to cover the entire spectrum of fragrance ingredients, both of natural and synthetic origin. At that time, the name of the trade group was changed to the Essential Oil Association of the U.S.A. The establishment of the Fragrance Materials Association reflected the changing needs and concerns of the industry.