IFRA 52nd amendment: what cosmetic brands need to know
The fragrance regulatory landscape is evolving. Following the public consultation on the 52nd Amendment to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards, IFRA has now completed its review of stakeholder feedback and is preparing the final notification, expected in January 2027.
For cosmetic and personal care companies, this is an important development to follow. Fragrance compositions are widely used across the industry, from skincare and haircare to deodorants, body care and fine fragrances, and changes to IFRA Standards can therefore have a direct impact on product compliance and formulation strategies.
What is changing?
The 52nd Amendment introduces a significant update to the IFRA Standards, based largely on safety assessments conducted by RIFM and reviewed by the Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety.
Among the key changes are:
- 48 new restriction standards
- 15 revised restriction standards
- Updates related to phototoxicity
- A new collective approach to furocoumarins in natural complex substances (NCSs)
- Updates to the guidance for the use of IFRA Standards and to the Annex on Contributions from Other Sources.
The update reflects IFRA’s risk-based approach to the safe use of fragrance ingredients and incorporates the latest available safety assessments into its standards.
What does this mean for cosmetic brands?
While the final notification has not yet been published, companies using fragrance compositions should already be reviewing their portfolios and identifying products that may be impacted.
For brands, manufacturers, and fragrance suppliers, the 52nd Amendment may require a review of fragrance compliance documentation and, depending on the substances and concentrations involved, potential adjustments to existing compositions.
Starting this assessment early can help teams manage the transition more smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays once the new standards become applicable.
How can Eurofins Cosmetics &Personal Care support you?
Navigating fragrance requirements involves much more than checking a formulation against a list of restricted substances.
Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care Reg & Tox experts can support you in assessing the compliance of finished cosmetic products and fragrance compositions, including:
- IFRA certificates,
- Fragrance Safety Evaluations (FSE),
- Allergen and regulatory certificates,
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS),
- REACH requirements,
- California SB 312,
- Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist requirements,
- And further regulatory support according to your markets and product needs.
With the 52nd Amendment approaching, now is the right time to assess potential impacts and prepare for the transition.
Need support reviewing your fragrance compositions or finished products? Contact our Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care experts to discuss your regulatory needs.