In a joint media statement, the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and Cosmetics Europe have issued a strong warning against a surge of misinformation regarding the safety of cosmetics and fragrance products in the context of the Omnibus VI regulatory revisions.
The EU Chemicals Omnibus VI includes targeted changes to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (CLP) that introduce a “stop-the-clock” measure on certain 2024 revisions and more workable labeling requirements for small formats—critical for a sector built on high volumes of bespoke mixtures—while extending realistic compliance timelines to reduce costly relabeling cycles.
In parallel, updates to the Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR) aim to operationalize the long-stalled derogation process for classified ingredients, with clearer timelines, proportional treatment of natural complex substances and a reaffirmed central role for the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
For the fragrance industry, this could translate into greater legal certainty, improved regulatory workability and a more science-based pathway to maintain key ingredients—supporting innovation, safeguarding complex supply chains and reducing unnecessary reformulation burdens, particularly for SMEs.
That's why IFRA and Cosmetics Europe are moving to correct inaccurate claims that suggest a relaxation of safety standards for carcinogenic substances or a lowering of consumer protection through regulatory simplification.
The industry bodies emphasize that Omnibus VI is a targeted adjustment to regulatory processes designed to streamline the framework and reduce administrative burdens, rather than a shift in fundamental safety principles.
Safety assessments remain "firmly anchored" in independent scientific evaluation and robust controls.
John Chave, director-general of Cosmetics Europe, stated that the revision actually ensures regulatory decisions are better aligned with scientific evidence, making it "less likely that safe ingredients will be banned" and "100% certain" that hazardous ones are.
The adjustments are intended to remove "procedural bottlenecks," the groups argue, without compromising the EU’s position as one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks globally.
IFRA President Alexander Mohr, Ph.D., noted that the volume of unfounded claims risks undermining both informed policymaking and public trust. The associations are calling on EU legislators to support Omnibus VI as a pragmatic and proportionate measure that upholds high standards of consumer protection while fostering innovation and competitiveness.
They specifically highlighted the need for vigilance against coordinated misinformation campaigns that threaten to distort the ongoing regulatory process.
