The European Commission wishes to inform and protect consumers about the undesirable effects of products from the chemical industry on their health. If the initiative seems commendable, the application raises many concerns on the side of producers because it would also include essential oils of natural origin.

A new layer after 15 years of regulatory adaptation

Europe wants each allergenic molecule to be subject to strict specifications,” says Alain Aubanel, president of PPAM de France. However, an essential oil of lavender contains more than 600 molecules! The constraints on production would be too great !”

The industry has already been burned by the application of REACH* regulations since 2006, with which it was associated too late. It wishes in particular that essential oils benefit from a separate classification with regard to their natural origin and their specific composition.

“The industry has made enormous efforts since the REACH regulation in 2006 to adapt its processes, quality control and product traceability“insists Philippe Soguel, president of the Drôme distillers’ union. “We simply wish to be associated very early in the process of reflection to preserve natural products from an application that is too restrictive for producers“.

A petition with over 90,000 signatures

For its part, the commission has stated that it“does not wish to ban essential oils” and that the objective of this revision is simply “to better protect the health of consumers and the environment. It is announced that a broad consultation will be held prior to the implementation of the regulations scheduled for 2025.

You can read the press release of PPAM de France here. A petition has also been launched and has already received over 90,000 signatures. Do not hesitate to sign it by clicking here !

*REACH is a European regulation (regulation n°1907/2006) that came into force in 2007 to secure the manufacture and use of chemical substances in European industry. More info: https: //www.ecologie.gouv.fr/reglementation-reach