Our professional perspectives on fragrance for brands and the fragrance-curious.

We've spent over 20 years in the professional fragrance industry. Go behind the scenes and explore the olfactive world through our blog.

Latest from the road

Live Smelling Session: Raleigh, NC

Our first live fragrance event. Five rose raw materials — from $5/kg synthetics to $25,500/kg May Rose Essential Oil — compared head-to-head, then layered into finished candles, lotions, solid perfume, and eau de toilette.

Read the session →

The Complete Guide to Fragrance Oils

What fragrance oils are, how they differ from essential oils, and how to use them safely and professionally in any product.

Natural vs. Synthetic Fragrance

Science, myths, and what actually matters. Why "natural" doesn't always mean safer, and why both have a role in modern formulation.

What Is IFRA?

How the International Fragrance Association sets global safety standards, what the 51st Amendment means, and why it matters for your product.

The Science of Clean Fragrance

"Clean" is everywhere but rarely defined. What clean fragrance actually means, and how IFRA, ISO, EWG, and retailer standards shape modern formulation.

How to Choose the Right Fragrance Oil

Matching fragrance oils to product type — candles, soap, perfume, body care, home. What changes when the base changes.

ISO 9235 Standard Explained

The international standard for natural aromatic raw materials — what qualifies as natural in fragrance, and why ISO 9235 is the benchmark.

How to Read SDS & IFRA Documents

A walkthrough of the documents that ship with every fragrance oil — what each section means and how to use them in your formulation.

How Stock Fragrance Oils Are Made

Inside our process — from creative direction and olfactive design to technical fit, safety review, and production scale-up.

Browse all articles

Estimate how much fragrance oil you need.

Not sure how much oil you need for your project? Enter your container size, dosage, and quantity below — the math is instant. Don't forget to check your IFRA documentation for dosage guidance by product category.

When you need more than a calculator

Need help from a human? Book a consultation so we can discuss your needs in detail.

Full transparency and documentation for every formula.

Fragrance oil documentation can be viewed and downloaded directly on each fragrance page in the 'Documentation' tab below the main image. Don't see what you're looking for? Request documentation.

Documents available per product:

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — the OSHA-compliant document covering handling, storage, transport, first aid, and disposal of the pure fragrance oil. Required for shipping under DOT and IMDG regulations, workplace safety compliance, and customs clearance. Each SDS follows the 16-section GHS format: identification, hazards, composition, first aid, fire fighting, accidental release, handling and storage, exposure controls, physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport, regulatory, and other information. This is the reference document for your safety officer, shipper, and regulatory team — it describes the pure oil, not your finished product. See Cashmere Wood SDS →
• IFRA 51 Regulatory Data Sheet — the official IFRA certificate showing maximum recommended usage levels by product category (fine fragrance, candle, body lotion, soap, cleaner, etc.) under the IFRA 51st Amendment. The reference document for dosage and category compliance. Each certificate lists IFRA category limits across all ~12 product categories and identifies any allergens that must be disclosed under EU labeling rules. This is what your formulator needs to confirm safe dosage in your specific product type, and what regulatory teams reference when reviewing finished-product safety. See Cashmere Wood IFRA 51 RDS →
• Allergen Statement — disclosure of fragrance allergens regulated under EU Cosmetic Regulation 1223/2009, including the 2023 expansion that increased the allergen disclosure list from 26 to approximately 80 substances. Lists which regulated allergens are present in the oil and at what concentration, so brands can determine whether their finished product (at the dilution they're using) exceeds the disclosure threshold and requires on-label allergen listing. Critical for any product sold in the EU, and increasingly relevant in markets that follow EU harmonization. Without this statement, brands risk non-compliant labeling and customs/retailer rejection. See Cashmere Wood Allergen Statement →
• California Prop 65 Statement — disclosure status for substances on California's Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Confirms whether the oil contains any listed substances above the "safe harbor" threshold and therefore would trigger a Prop 65 warning on the finished product label. Required for any product sold in California or sold online with California shipping. The statement gives brands the documentation needed to confirm compliance and avoid the 60-day-notice enforcement letters that drive most Prop 65 lawsuits. See Adirondack Prop 65 Statement →
• California SB 258 Statement — disclosure for the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017, required for cleaning, laundry, and home-care products sold in California. Lists intentionally-added fragrance ingredients in the oil above the regulatory threshold (0.01% or above for most categories), supporting California's ingredient-disclosure label and online-disclosure requirements. Used by formulators of laundry detergent, surface cleaners, dish soap, floor care, and similar product categories that fall under SB 258 jurisdiction. Request SB 258 documentation →
• California SB 312 Statement — disclosure for the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act of 2020. Confirms the oil is free of the 24 specific ingredients banned in cosmetic products sold in California, including certain phthalates (DBP, DEHP), parabens (long-chain), PFAS, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers, mercury, lead, asbestos, and several other compounds. Important for any beauty, personal-care, or cosmetic product that ships to California, where the legal threshold of intentional addition is effectively zero. Brands launching cosmetics into the California market reference this statement during retailer compliance review. See Cashmere Wood SB 312 Statement →
• Natural & Synthetic Breakdown — composition profile showing what percentage of the oil comes from natural raw materials (essential oils, absolutes, CO₂ extracts, ISO 9235-compliant naturals) versus nature-identical, bio-based, and modern aromatic chemicals. Provides the substantiation that brands need for "natural origin," "X% natural," and "made with essential oils" claims on finished-product labels. Essential for any natural-positioning brand, and for retailer programs that require quantified natural-content disclosure. See Cashmere Wood Natural & Synthetic →
• ISO 16128 Statement — natural-origin index of the fragrance oil calculated per the international ISO 16128 standard. Provides a transparent, repeatable percentage of natural-origin content with industry-recognized math rather than marketing approximation. Used to substantiate "natural origin index" claims on finished-product labels, and increasingly required by retailer programs that want a defensible number rather than a vague "natural" claim. Request ISO 16128 documentation →
• Biodegradability Statement — environmental fate profile showing the oil's biodegradability percentage under OECD test methods (typically OECD 301 series for ready biodegradability). Critical for rinse-off products, laundry, cleaning, and any product that enters wastewater treatment systems. Oils that exceed 90% biodegradability in 28-day testing qualify for our "Biodegradable" badge and the relevant collection. Required documentation for ecolabels (EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, etc.) and increasingly relevant to retailer environmental scoring. See Cirrus Biodegradability Statement →
• VOC Statement — volatile organic compound content of the oil, expressed per regulatory definitions (typically EPA Method 24 or CARB definitions). Relevant for air-quality-regulated products (aerosols, surface cleaners, air fresheners) and CARB-restricted categories sold in California, the Northeast OTC states, and Canadian VOC-regulated regions. Brands building consumer-product VOC compliance need this number to calculate their finished-product VOC content and confirm they meet category limits.
• CMR Statement — confirmation the oil contains no substances classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reproductive toxicants under EU CLP regulation (Categories 1A, 1B, or 2). Required documentation for clean-beauty certifications, EU cosmetic compliance, and any retailer program that excludes CMR-classified substances. Without this statement, brands cannot make "CMR-free" claims to retailers or include the claim on certifications-aware marketing materials. See Cirrus CMR Statement →
• Vegan Statement — formal confirmation that the oil contains no animal-derived ingredients, byproducts, or co-products at any point in the supply chain, including any tinctures, absolutes, or animal-sourced raw materials sometimes used in traditional perfumery (musk, civet, ambergris, beeswax-derived materials, etc.). Required for vegan product certifications and for retailer programs that exclude animal sourcing. The accompanying Animal Origin Statement provides the inverse confirmation when applicable. See Cashmere Wood Vegan Statement →
• Animal Origin Statement — formal disclosure of any animal-derived content in the fragrance oil, including raw materials, processing aids, or finishing components. Supports retailer clean-beauty programs and certifications (Leaping Bunny, Vegan Society, etc.) that require positive confirmation rather than just absence-of-statement. Critical for brands targeting religious dietary markets (halal, kosher) where animal-origin disclosure is required. See Cirrus Animal Origin Statement →
• Made in USA Statement — confirmation that the oil is blended, quality-controlled, and packaged in our US facility. Supports domestic-sourcing claims for retailer labeling, "Made in USA" marketing claims subject to FTC enforcement guidelines, and Buy American Act / state-level domestic procurement requirements. Brands using "Made in USA" on finished-product labels need substantiation back through the supply chain — this statement provides that for the fragrance component. See Cashmere Wood Made in USA Statement →
• Certificate of Origin — formal manufacturing-origin document used for customs clearance (especially for international shipments), retailer compliance, and B2B sourcing transparency. Includes country of origin, manufacturing facility identification, and the HS tariff classification for the fragrance oil. Required for any cross-border shipment and for many retailer onboarding processes that require documented supply-chain transparency. See Ambres Larmes Certificate of Origin →
• GMO Statement — confirmation the oil contains no genetically modified raw materials at any point in the supply chain. Supports clean-beauty and natural-claim requirements, certifications that exclude GMO content (Non-GMO Project, etc.), and consumer-facing GMO-free product labeling. Brands targeting natural and clean-beauty segments often require this statement during product onboarding to substantiate GMO-free positioning on the finished product. See Cirrus GMO Statement →
• Sesame / Allergen Disclosure — disclosure of sesame content per the FASTER Act of 2021, which added sesame as the 9th major food allergen subject to US labeling requirements. Required for any product with ingestion or lip-contact potential (lip balm, lip oil, edible products, oral-care). The statement confirms presence or absence of sesame-derived materials in the oil, allowing brands to comply with allergen-disclosure labeling on finished products in those categories.
• Clean Ingredient Statement — consolidated overview of clean-beauty-relevant ingredient exclusions present in the formula (phthalate-free, paraben-free, BHT-free, lilial-free, PEG-free, PFAS-free, CMR-free, PBT-free, petrochemical-free, etc.). A single-page snapshot for retailer compliance teams reviewing the oil against their clean-beauty exclusion lists. Saves brands the time of compiling individual statements when applying to retailer clean-beauty programs (Clean at Sephora, Target Clean, Credo, EWG Verified, etc.). See Cashmere Wood Clean Ingredient Statement →

Marketing terms vs. compliance — what's the difference?

Marketing terms are not verifiable, do not have a standard definition, and can be made by anyone. Examples of marketing terms include 'clean,' 'non-toxic,' 'green,' and 'eco-friendly.'

Compliance uses a set definition to qualify whether a formula passes or not — based on ingredients, chemical components, or a number of other factors. There are literally hundreds of standards we can check against. Here are a few of the ones we use:

International & Federal Standards

IFRA Standards

Industry safety standard

The International Fragrance Association sets global safety standards for fragrance ingredients — including maximum usage levels by product category (perfume, candle, body lotion, laundry, cleaner, etc.). All Stock Fragrance oils comply with the IFRA 51st Amendment, with documentation on every product page.

View IFRA-compliant oils →

ISO 9235

International standard (natural origin)

The international standard defining what qualifies as a "natural aromatic raw material" in fragrance and cosmetics. Sets botanical, processing, and traceability criteria. Our plant-based fragrance oils are formulated entirely from ISO 9235-compliant materials.

View ISO 9235 plant-based oils →

ISO 16128

International standard (natural origin index)

The international standard for calculating natural-origin content in cosmetic ingredients. Provides a transparent, repeatable formula expressing what percentage of an ingredient is natural — used to substantiate "natural origin index" claims with industry-recognized math rather than marketing approximation.

View all fragrance oils →

ECOCERT

Independent certification body

A leading European certifier for organic and natural cosmetics. ECOCERT compliance requires per-ingredient registration in the EU and stringent process documentation. Our ECOCERT-compliant collection covers oils that have completed this registration.

View ECOCERT-compliant oils →

EPA Safer Choice

US federal certification

Administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Every ingredient in a Safer Choice-compliant fragrance has been reviewed by independent toxicologists for human-health and environmental safety. One of the most rigorous federal programs in the personal-care space.

View EPA Safer Choice-compliant oils →

EWG Verified

Independent non-profit standard

The Environmental Working Group maintains the EWG Skin Deep database and EWG Verified program. Their standard excludes specific chemicals of concern, requires manufacturing transparency, and demands disclosure beyond legal labeling minimums.

View EWG-compliant oils →

State & Regulatory Compliance

California Prop 65

State regulatory standard

California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act requires disclosure of substances known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Our Prop 65-compliant collection covers oils that meet California's threshold requirements without triggering the warning label.

View Prop 65-compliant oils →

California SB 258

State disclosure law

The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017. Requires manufacturers of cleaning products sold in California to disclose specific ingredients, including fragrance allergens above a defined threshold. Our SB 258 documentation supports brands selling cleaning, laundry, and home-care products into California.

View all fragrance oils →

California SB 312

State cosmetics law

The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act of 2020. Bans 24 specific intentionally-added ingredients in cosmetic products sold in California, including certain phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde-releasers, and PFAS. Our SB 312 statements verify compliance per product.

View all fragrance oils →

Retailer Compliance Programs

Clean at Sephora

Retailer standard

Sephora's retail-program standard for clean beauty. Excludes a specific list of ingredients (sulfates, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, and more). Required for products sold under the "Clean at Sephora" label.

View Clean at Sephora-compliant oils →

Target Clean

Retailer standard

Target's retail-program standard for clean beauty and personal care. Excludes propylparaben, butylparaben, phthalates, formaldehyde, and other ingredients of concern. Used to qualify products for the Target Clean icon and retail placement.

View Target Clean-compliant oils →

Credo Clean Beauty

Retailer standard

Credo's retail-program standard — one of the more stringent clean-beauty standards in the US market. Goes further than most on transparency, sourcing, and ingredient exclusions.

View Credo-compliant oils →

Manufacturing & Origin Claims

Made in USA

Manufacturing origin

Oils blended, quality-controlled, and packaged in our US facility. Relevant for sourcing transparency, supply-chain risk reduction, and any product line that requires domestic manufacturing.

View USA-made oils →

100% Plant-Based

Origin claim

Formulated entirely from plant-derived and naturally-occurring aromatic materials. No petrochemicals, no animal-derived ingredients. Built on ISO 9235-compliant raw materials to meet international natural-origin standards.

View plant-based oils →

100% Bio-Based

Origin claim

Formulated entirely from biologically-sourced materials — plant-derived, fermentation-derived, or biotechnologically produced. Bio-based fragrance reduces dependence on petrochemical feedstocks and supports lower-impact supply chains.

View bio-based oils →

Biodegradable (>90%)

Environmental compliance

Oils formulated to break down by more than 90% in standard OECD biodegradation testing protocols. Important for products that enter wastewater systems (cleaning products, laundry care, rinse-off personal care).

View biodegradable oils →

Hypoallergenic

Formulation approach

Formulated to minimize known fragrance allergens defined by EU labeling regulations. Ideal for sensitive-skin, baby, dermatologist-tested, and pediatric product lines. The hypoallergenic standard reduces — but does not eliminate — the possibility of allergic response.

View hypoallergenic oils →

Water-Soluble

Special-order conversion

Any Stock Fragrance oil can be converted to a water-soluble concentrate via our patented micro-emulsion process. Eco-friendly, sulfate-free, transparent, and stable in water-based formulations (laundry boosters, cleaners, water-based diffusers).

Learn about water-soluble →

Sourcing & Composition

Fair Trade Sourced

Sourcing standard

Raw materials sourced from Fair Trade-certified suppliers and cooperatives. Supports ethical labor practices, fair pricing for producers, and traceable supply chains for botanical and natural ingredients.

View Fair Trade-sourced oils →

INCI Compliant

Naming standard

All ingredients listed using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) — the global standard for cosmetic ingredient naming. Required for compliant labeling in the EU, US, and most international markets.

View INCI-compliant oils →

Contains Essential Oils

Composition claim

Formulated with one or more pure essential oils as part of the aromatic palette. Supports product claims for "made with essential oils" labeling and aromatherapy-adjacent positioning.

View oils made with essential oils →

Ingredient-Exclusion Claims

Phthalate-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No phthalates — the plasticizer compounds historically used as fragrance fixatives and solvents. Excluded from every Stock Fragrance formulation. Required for nearly all clean-beauty and retailer compliance programs.

View phthalate-free oils →

Paraben-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butylparaben). Common preservatives used in some fragrance carriers, excluded for clean-beauty and dermatological compatibility.

View paraben-free oils →

BHT-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No Butylated Hydroxytoluene — a synthetic antioxidant/preservative restricted under several clean-beauty standards and certain EU regulations.

View all fragrance oils →

Lilial-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No Lilial (Butylphenyl Methylpropional). Banned in EU cosmetic products from 2022 onward. We've removed it from all formulations to maintain global compliance.

View all fragrance oils →

CMR-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No substances classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reproductive toxicants (Categories 1A, 1B, 2) under EU CLP regulation. Required for clean-beauty and EU cosmetic compliance.

View CMR-free oils →

PBT-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Toxic substances as defined under EU REACH. Important for environmental claims and ecotoxicity-restricted product categories.

View PBT-free oils →

PEG-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No Polyethylene Glycols (PEG-based emulsifiers or carriers). Excluded for clean-beauty and dermatological compatibility, particularly for sensitive-skin formulations.

View all fragrance oils →

PFAS-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("forever chemicals"). Excluded due to environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and growing regulatory restrictions (California SB 312, EU restrictions, US state-level laws).

View PFAS-free oils →

Petrochemical-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No petrochemical-derived raw materials. Important for natural-claim integrity and consumer-facing clean-beauty positioning.

View petrochemical-free oils →

Non-Toxic

Composite claim

Aggregates all our ingredient-exclusion claims — no phthalates, parabens, BHT, lilial, PEG, PFAS, CMRs, PBTs, or petrochemicals. "Non-toxic" is a marketing-category label; we substantiate it with the individual exclusion claims above.

View non-toxic oils →

Vegan

Ingredient exclusion

No animal-derived ingredients, byproducts, or co-products at any point in the supply chain. Supports vegan product certifications and ethical-sourcing claims.

View vegan oils →

Cruelty-Free

Sourcing standard

No animal testing on finished products or raw materials, at Stock Fragrance or at our raw-material suppliers. Verified across the supply chain.

View cruelty-free oils →

Non-GMO

Ingredient exclusion

No genetically modified organisms used in raw material sourcing. Supports clean-beauty and natural-claim requirements where GMO-free status is required.

View non-GMO oils →

Gluten-Free

Ingredient exclusion

No gluten-containing ingredients in any Stock Fragrance oil. Relevant for sensitive-skin formulations and any consumer-facing product where gluten-disclosure is a customer expectation.

View gluten-free oils →

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