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Understanding IFRA 51st Amendment

by Nathan Motylinski 7 min read

All of our professional fragrance oils are formulated to comply with the latest IFRA 51st Amendment Standards (announced June 30, 2023). Below is an overview of what changed, how IFRA categories work, and a practical guide to using IFRA when you’re formulating any scented product.

If you need IFRA Certificates, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), or other documentation, you’ll find IFRA and regulatory data under the “Technical Info” tab on each fragrance page. For anything additional, you can submit a request through our Stock Fragrance Document Request page.

Highlights of the IFRA 51st Amendment

Clarification about paper products and printed substrates
Clarification for fabric softener sheets, dryer sheets, and dry-cleaning kits
Categorization of pillow sprays and similar linen products
Categorization of reed diffusers and other passive air care devices
Updated handling of trace components in fragrance formulas
Phototoxicity considerations for Category 6 (oral/peri-oral products)
Elimination of “sunblock” terminology in the guidance
Make-up remover for face/eyes may include potential lip exposure
“Aftershaves of all types” clarified in Category 4 (fine fragrance)
Over 50 new and revised Standards notified with the 51st Amendment

About IFRA

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) sets science-based Standards to help ensure fragrance safety across perfumes, cosmetics, personal care, home care, and more. IFRA’s work is informed by RIFM research and expressed through the IFRA Code of Practice.

How IFRA Regulates Fragrance

Safety assessment: Toxicology, sensitization, and exposure evaluation for fragrance ingredients.
Usage limits: Maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs) set for specific materials in finished products.
Categories & Standards: Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Specifications organized by product category.
Ongoing research: Standards are updated as new scientific data becomes available.
Transparency: IFRA Certificates and supporting documents help brands and makers formulate responsibly.
Regulatory alignment: Widely adopted as a global best-practice framework for fragrance safety.

If you prefer to work with fragrances that are already screened for many common regulatory and retailer frameworks, explore our IFRA compliant fragrance oils and non-toxic fragrance oils.

Key Updates in IFRA 51 vs IFRA 50

Refined risk assessment (QRA2): Includes aggregate exposure and systemic toxicity considerations.
Borderline product placement: Clearer categorization for body sprays, pillow sprays, and reed diffusers.
Phototoxicity policy notes: Additional guidance for UV-exposed categories and how to treat phototoxic materials.
Trace components: Clarified expectations for handling trace constituents in complex raw materials.
Certificates & timelines: Updated IFRA Certificate of Conformity language and implementation schedules.

Representative Ingredient Changes (50th → 51st)

Ingredient	Change	50th (2021)	51st (2023)
Dihydrocoumarin	Restriction updated	Restricted (2020)	Revised limit (2023)
p-Cresol / selected musks & ketones	New or revised entries	As listed	Updated 2023 entries
Tagetes oil & absolute	Phototoxicity clarified	Limits (2020)	Revised UV exposure notes (2023)

Correct IFRA Product Categories (51st Amendment)

IFRA divides finished products into categories based on how and where they are used. When a product fits more than one description (for example, a spray that might contact both body and fabric), you should apply the most restrictive category.

Our fragrance oils are designed to be professional-quality and versatile, so the same fragrance can usually be used across multiple product types (perfume, skincare, candles, laundry, home care, etc.) as long as each formula respects the IFRA limit for its category. For collections organized by product format, see: Perfume & cologne fragrance oils, cold process soap fragrance oils, candle & home fragrance oils, and laundry & cleaning fragrance oils.

Category	Description	Example products
1	Leave-on products applied to lips / potential ingestion	Lipstick, lip balm, certain toys with mouth contact
2	Leave-on products for the axillae	Deodorants, antiperspirants, body sprays (unless explicitly “not for underarm use”)
3	Applied to face with fingertips	Eye creams, facial makeup, makeup removers, face/body paint
4	Fine fragrance	Perfumes, colognes, aftershaves (all types), body sprays labeled “not for underarm use”. See our Perfume & Cologne Fragrance Oils.
5A	Leave-on body products	Body lotion, body butter, body creams. Explore fragrance oils for personal care.
5B	Leave-on face products	Face moisturizer, night cream, treatment serums
5C	Leave-on hand products	Hand cream, leave-on hand treatments
5D	Baby leave-on products	Baby oil, baby lotion, baby powder
6	Oral hygiene (rinse-off) / peri-oral exposure	Toothpaste, mouthwash, breath spray
7A	Rinse-off hair products	Shampoo, rinse-off conditioner, hair masks. See hair product fragrance oils.
7B	Leave-on hair products	Hair spray, leave-in conditioner, dry/waterless shampoo
8	Significant anogenital exposure	Intimate wipes, feminine sprays
9	Rinse-off body/hand exposure	Soap, shower gel, body wash, liquid hand soap. Explore fragrance oils for body wash and cold process soap fragrance oils.
10A	Household & fabric care (hand contact)	Reed diffusers, fabric sprays, hand dishwashing liquids, laundry fragrance. See candle & home fragrance oils and laundry & cleaning fragrance oils.
10B	Household aerosols/sprays (possible skin contact)	Air fresheners, pet sprays, household spray fresheners
11A	Intended skin contact; minimal transfer (no UV)	Paper towels/napkins; some liners/pads
11B	Intended skin contact; minimal transfer (with UV)	Pillow sprays; other UV-relevant substrates with limited transfer to skin
12	Non-skin contact; minimal/insignificant transfer	Candles, incense, dry-air devices, some paints and coatings. Explore our candle & home fragrance oils.

Important clarifications: Body sprays are Category 2 unless clearly labeled not for axilla use (then treat as Category 4). Pillow sprays fall under Category 11B due to limited transfer to facial skin before drying. Reed diffusers are treated as Category 10A because of consumer handling and fabric exposure.

How to Use IFRA When Working with Fragrance (Quick Guide)

Identify your product category. Start with the table above and choose the IFRA category that best matches how the product will be used. If a product reasonably fits multiple categories, use the more conservative (more restrictive) category.
Get the IFRA Certificate of Conformity. For each fragrance, download the IFRA Certificate from the “Technical Info” tab on the fragrance product page or request it via our document request form if you need additional versions.
Decide on a target fragrance dosage. Use your product brief (scent strength, base, price point, and performance needs) to choose a starting dosage. Then check that this dosage keeps every restricted material below its maximum for the applicable category on the IFRA Certificate. We do not recommend automatically using the IFRA maximum; instead, treat the limit as a ceiling and adjust dosage based on performance testing.
Run calculation checks. Use our free Fragrance Oil Calculator to estimate how much fragrance oil you’ll need for your batch and to sanity-check fragrance load across different product sizes. Always confirm that your chosen percentage is at or below the IFRA limit for the category.
Apply special policies. For UV-exposed skin categories, review phototoxicity notes for any relevant materials. Category 12 (non-skin contact, like candles) is generally not subject to phototoxicity limits, but IFRA restrictions on certain materials may still apply.
Document your compliance. Keep IFRA Certificates, load calculations, and final formula records. When a product spans several potential uses (for example, a room spray that might contact skin and fabric), default to the most restrictive category.

Why IFRA Compliance Matters

Consumer safety: Helps reduce the risk of sensitization, irritation, and phototoxic reactions over real-world use.
Regulatory alignment: Supports global cosmetic and chemical frameworks and many retailer requirements.
Brand trust: IFRA-aware formulation, clear documentation, and responsible dosage decisions build confidence with customers and partners.

Our fragrances are designed as professional-quality oils suitable for use across a wide range of products — from fine fragrance and clean beauty & cosmetics to candles and home fragrance and laundry & cleaning — when used within the appropriate IFRA limits.

IFRA & Clean / Compliance-Focused Fragrance Collections

If you’re building a line around specific safety, sustainability, or retailer standards, these collections are a helpful starting point. All still require proper IFRA category selection and dosage, but each collection is curated around a particular framework.

By Safety, Clean & Standard Framework

By Product Type & Application

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all of your fragrance oils IFRA compliant?

Our fragrance oils are designed to comply with the latest IFRA Standards when used within the appropriate category limits. For each oil, you can download the IFRA Certificate from the “Technical Info” tab on the product page, which shows applicable categories and maximum usage levels.

How much fragrance oil should I use in my formula?

The ideal dosage depends on your product type, base, and desired scent strength. Always check the IFRA Certificate for the relevant category and treat the listed percentage as a maximum, not a starting point. Begin below that limit and adjust based on stability, performance, and testing. Our Fragrance Oil Calculator can help you estimate how much oil you’ll need for your batch, but final usage decisions should always respect IFRA limits.

Where can I find documentation (IFRA, SDS, etc.) for your oils?

IFRA Certificates and other technical documents are posted on each fragrance product page under the “Technical Info” tab. If you need additional documentation or a specific format, you can request it via our Stock Fragrance Document Request page.

Can you help with custom IFRA-compliant fragrance development?

Yes. We provide custom fragrance design and development, including IFRA-aware formulation across multiple product types and regions. To explore bespoke options, visit our Fragrance Design Services collection.

Do your fragrances work across multiple product types?

Our oils are professional-quality and constructed to perform across a wide range of formats — including fine fragrance, body care, haircare, candles, home fragrance, laundry, and cleaning products — provided each finished formula respects the IFRA limits for its category. If you’re planning a multi-product line built around one signature scent, we’re happy to help you think through categories and dosage ranges.

Still have questions or need help choosing the right fragrance oil for your project? Contact us and our team will be happy to assist.

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