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Fact Sheet
- Fine fragrances and fragrance materials, like all cosmetics and personal care products, are regulated by Health Canada under the Cosmetic
Regulations of the Food & Drugs Act. Working with Health Canada, the highest priority of the scented products industry is to ensure
the health and safety of consumers through the marketing of products that are safe and effective. To this end, industry has strongly supported
mandatory ingredient labelling, following international standards, for personal care products.
- Fragrances and fragrance material issues are international in scope. Fragrances that are sold in Canada are often identical to those available
in the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world. Safety issues are addressed on an international basis by a number of organizations such as:
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IFRA (International Fragrance Association),
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RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials), and
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CFMA (Canadian Fragrance Materials Association).
- The carrier for the perfume oil found in fragrances is denatured ethyl alcohol (ethanol), which is obtained by the fermentation of natural
grains. Water is also commonly used in conjunction with the ethyl alcohol to help modify the fragrance intensity and make application to the
skin easier. The relative proportion of the perfume oil to carrier depends on the product type (perfume, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, etc.)
- For thousands of years, fragrances have been enjoyed and have contributed to people’s individuality, self-esteem and personal hygiene.
Fragrance dates as far back as the Egyptians, who used aromatic plants to create massage oils, medicines, embalming preparations, skin care
products, fragrant perfumes and cosmetics.
- Aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of essential oils from aromatic flowers and herbs, has the unique ability to lift our spirits and enhance
our mood and has been linked to other psychological benefits such as the reduction of stress and the enhancement of sleep.
- The creation of fragrance is an excellent example of nature and science working together. Many raw materials are taken from natural sources
including flowers, herbs, spices, citrus fruits, roots and grains. The desired materials are then isolated from the plants using a combination
of mechanical, distillation, extraction and evaporation techniques. These ingredients are enhanced by manufactured materials which may reproduce
natural elements that cannot be obtained in large quantities or have unique properties not known to nature.
- Fragrance users are strongly encouraged to be courteous and respectful in their use of fragrance and to keep the fragrance within their personal "scent
circle", about an arm’s length away.
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