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FAQ
- What is the Fragrance Materials Association of the United States?
- How long has FMA existed?
- What is FMA's mission?
- What is IFRA?
- What is a fragrance?
- What is an essential oil?
- What differentiates a synthetic fragrance and a natural fragrance?
- What is the difference between a fragrance material and a finished product?
- Are fragrances safe?
- How are fragrance materials determined as safe?
- How are fragrance materials regulated?
- If one thinks that they have has an adverse reaction to a fragrance, what should they do?
- There are reports of fragrance materials causing negative effects. Are these founded in scientific fact or conjecture?
- How should the press contact FMA?
What is the Fragrance Materials Association of the United States?
The Fragrance Materials Association of the United States (FMA) is a trade association representing companies that invent and manufacture fragrance ingredients for use in a wide array of products. Suppliers of fragrance ingredients are also included in the membership. FMA primarily serves to facilitate legislative and regulatory progress on behalf of the industry. FMA interacts with state, federal and international governments.
How long has FMA existed?
In its current form FMA was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1979 when it succeeded the Essential Oil Association of the 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 in 1979 reflected the changing needs and concerns of the industry.
What is FMA's mission?
FMA's primary mission involves legislative and regulatory work on behalf of the membership. With the emphasis on fragrance material safety, the FMA indirectly serves consumers and the general public through self-regulation.
What is IFRA?
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is a collective of global fragrance associations. Individual companies do not belong to IFRA, although, FMA is a member of IFRA. FMA member companies adhere to the IFRA Code of Practice, a set of basic principles intended to be standards of good operating practice by the fragrance industry.
What is a fragrance?
Fragrances often enhance our lives by making them more pleasant thus their universal appeal. According to the Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary, a fragrance is defined as:
"(a) a sweet or delicate odor (as fresh flowers, pine trees, or perfume) or (b) something (as perfume) compounded to give off a sweet or pleasant odor."
Many of us have fond memories or emotional responses based on fragrances (i.e., the smell of fresh baked cookies or breads, a mother's perfume or cologne, a consumer product, etc.). The popularity of aromatherapy and fine fragrances is testimony to this.
What is an essential oil?
Use of essential oils as fragrance dates back to ancient times. According to the Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary, an essential oil is "any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings." Many fine fragrances are based on the use of essential oils for their delicate aromas.
What differentiates a synthetic fragrance and a natural fragrance?
Over the centuries the art of crafting fine fragrances from natural plant sources has evolved into the science of perfumery. With ever increasing technical knowledge on the identification, purification, and chemical synthesis of the scent producing molecules that perfumers seek, these aromas can be re-created. The advantages of the synthetic materials are that purity can be strictly controlled, other substances in the natural product are eliminated thus exposure to unknown components is eliminated, in addition to uncertainties in the botanical source, origin and weather associated with changes in chemical composure in botanicals.
What is the difference between a fragrance material and a finished product?
Fragrance materials are the concentrates used to impart scent that are used in the manufacture of consumer products. The finished product contains a very small percentage of fragrance material in it. Examples of finished products are perfumes, colognes, creams, shampoos, soaps, detergents, household and industrial cleaners, air fresheners, and scented candles to name a few.
Are fragrances safe?
Fragrances are indeed safe. The manufacturers, FMA and IFRA strive to evaluate fragrance materials based on the most current scientific data available. This means constant surveillance of the open literature, attending scientific meetings where academic, government, and private industry experts present their findings. The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) provides a great deal of research and intellectual support in this process. When a material is found to be unacceptable by current scientific and medical standards, it is withdrawn from use or sharply limited in use to levels well below those implicated in adverse effect.
How are fragrance materials determined as safe?
Fragrance materials are determined as safe through extensive scientific testing. Many substances have multiple uses and the first recourse is to survey the scientific literature for all existing safety data for a particular material or related substances. Member companies perform or commission safety evaluations for materials of specific interest. RIFM conducts safety evaluations for fragrance materials of general utility. These evaluations include but are not limited to allergy, toxicity, carcinogenicity, respiratory and dermatological effects. In an effort to test a maximum number of substances overlap is avoided. The independent RIFM Expert Panel then evaluates the studies and their conclusions are incorporated into the IFRA Code of Practice.
How are fragrance materials regulated?
Fragrance materials are regulated in the United States by a complex system of government bodies and self-regulation by the manufacturers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetics. Fragrance materials are also subject to a variety of environmental regulations administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The global fragrance industry has instituted self-regulation that is administered through IFRA of which FMA is a member. Fragrance material safety is assessed by the Expert Panel of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) using state of the art scientific methods including but not limited to toxicology, biochemistry, and dermatology. The Panel is composed of independent scientists from public and private academic and research institutions. The IFRA Code of Practice is based on the conclusions of the Panel and is periodically re-evaluated and updated by the Panel to ensure that current safety considerations are incorporated. Members of IFRA are bound to obey the Code of Practice. Internationally, fragrance materials are regulated by legislation of individual countries and of the European Union.
If one thinks that they have has an adverse reaction to a fragrance, what should they do?
If one feels that they have experienced an adverse reaction to a fragrance-containing product they should contact a medical professional immediately. Board certified medical professionals can assess the situation. Only a medical professional can determine what type of reaction one is having.
There are reports of fragrance materials causing negative effects. Are these founded in scientific fact or conjecture?
Fragrance allergies are very rare and the IFRA Code of Practice bans scientifically verified allergens or materials with no supporting safety data that have been implicated as potential allergens from use in fragrance products. During the 1980s the FDA collected cosmetic complaint data and it is reported that less than one complaint per one million cosmetic products was due to fragrance allergy. Every person is unique and although we strive for the most comprehensive safety possible there is no such thing as absolute safety. Some few individuals may experience minor adverse skin effects from fragrance materials. This does not mean that these events although unfortunate are universal. Many of these reports are based on a single occurrence or conjecture without any medical or scientific evidence to verify them.
How should the press contact FMA?
The FMA offices can be reached at 202-293-5800.
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