IFEAT and EFEO welcome Provisional Agreement on Revision of CLP

December 6, 2023

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The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT) and the European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO) welcome the provisional agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the revision of the Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemical Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation).

Thanks to more than two years of constructive dialogue between the sector and the EU institutions, the text adopted is a significant improvement from the initial proposal. It is therefore with great relief and satisfaction that a derogation from the mixture rule has been granted for truly natural essential oils and related products under the revision of the CLP Regulation. This derogation will be the subject of a European Commission scientific report to be published within 5 years after the adoption and an amendment could be proposed if necessary.

This swift agreement brings much-needed business certainty to the sector, ensuring the continued safe use of essential oils and related products, as has been the case for centuries. The outcome protects micro, small and medium sized companies (SMEs) and the local rural economies in many parts of Europe.

Looking forward, we are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the European Institutions. Our goal is to ensure a regulatory framework that is anchored in robust evidence, safeguarding our industry, and maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment. To this end, we will continue collecting scientific evidence, complemented by further independent studies, demonstrating that the derogation is justified. Furthermore, we will continue giving input to the European Commission in the preparation of the report to be published.

With the revised CLP Regulation, we are confident about a sustainable future for the essential oils sector in Europe, and globally.