Essential Oils and naturals at risk

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

I am an aromatherapist based in the UK and co-run a number of

aromatic based projects including Cropwatch which is an independent

watchdog for those working in the aroma trades and campaigns against

endangered species and bad legislation.

 

NEWS:

 

Natural aromatics (inc common essential oils) are in imminent danger

of being legislated out of existence.

 

Cropwatch (See www.cropwatch.org for full story) has a petition up

protesting against the IFRA 40th amendment and its implications for

all natural aromatics/essential oil users at

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ifra40/

 

This is about taking a stand against one of the prime movers (IFRA)

in a regulatory process, which (intentionally or otherwise), is

slowly phasing out the use of natural materials in favour of

synthetics in cosmetics/fragrances. We can see a similar process

going on - the phasing out of natural aromatic materials - in many

other areas - perfumery, biocides, over-the-counter medicines,

household products etc. etc.

 

Please sign this petition -

 

See also 'Cropwatch vs IFRA' Perfumer & Flavorist article at

http://www.perfumerflavorist.com:80/newsletter/5326381.html

 

 

......and if you want to do more, go to www.perfumerflavorist.com to

vote in their Poll on the issue.

 

BACKGROUND

Aromatherapists have a duty of care to others as users of essential

oils & other natural aromatic materials but most of the information

about the safe use of essential oils actually came from a perfumery

trade organisation (called IFRA) who have researched the issue via

the work of an independent body (RIFM) for more than 30 years.

 

By default, synthetics are becoming more widely used in perfumery and

in commercial 'aromatherapy' products (a) because they are cheap (b)

because naturals have more restrictions on use.

 

The problem we have now is one of over-regulation. We think that a

line should be drawn after the 39th IFRA amendment, since with the

40th amendment we are facing an overload of calculations & paperwork

which make it pretty well impossible for small companies to cope.

(including small sellers of essential oil products)

 

What people are picking up on also is the unfair ratio of

restrictions, which penalise naturals more than synthetics.

 

Many Thanks,

 

Kendra Kirkham (Aromatherapist)

www.cropwatch.org