Enforcement 11/24: Inspection of fragrance oils and essential oils
Publisher: Kemikalieinspektionen
File type: PDF
Page type: A4
Number of pages: 14
Publication year: 2024
Language: Svenska
The Swedish Chemicals Agency has inspected 76 products from 30 companies that sell fragrance oils and essential oils. The project aimed to ensure that the products complied with current legal requirements concerning classification, labeling, and packaging, as well as verifying that the companies were registered with the Swedish Chemicals Agency’s product register.
Fragrance oils and essential oils are often classified as hazardous according to the CLP Regulation. They may contain substances that, for example, are allergenic, flammable, and/or may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. Since these products are sold to, and used by, consumers it is important that they are correctly classified and labeled so that customers receive accurate information about the hazards of the products. This allows them to make informed choices when purchasing and use the products safely.
The project revealed that many products had deficiencies that needed to be addressed; for example, some products lacked labeling entirely, the labeling did not indicate the correct hazards, the information was not in Swedish, and there was no tactile warnings or child-resistant fastening. Many of the companies selling these types of products are small and do not have sales of chemical products as their main business, and often have limited knowledge of the requirements of chemical legislation. Several companies believed that their products did not count as chemical products because the raw materials have a natural origin and therefore are not covered by chemical legislation, which is not correct. There may also be a misconception that all products made from natural raw materials are harmless, which is not the case.