IFRA 51 Explained: The Quick, No-Faff Version

What is IFRA and why does it matter?

IFRA is the International Fragrance Association.
They set global safety standards for fragrance materials by reviewing scientific research and updating the rules. These rules decide how much of each fragrance ingredient can safely be used in products.

Every few years, IFRA publishes a new update. The latest version is IFRA 51, and it has caused a noticeable stir in home fragrance, especially for diffusers and room sprays.

Why things have changed

If a fragrance that used to be fine suddenly is not, the issue is rarely the oil itself. It is usually because IFRA has reviewed fresh data and lowered the safe usage levels for certain ingredients.

These rules protect people who breathe in fragrance over long periods or who have it settle on their skin and household surfaces. This is why diffusers, room sprays and high-exposure products are affected more than others.

Some well known fragrance ingredients now have tighter limits, even when they occur naturally in essential oils.

The key deadlines you need to know

New products

Anything newly launched must follow IFRA 51 from 30 March 2024.

Existing products

Products already on the market must comply by 30 October 2025.

These deadlines apply to any home fragrance or cosmetic item covered by an IFRA category. This includes diffusers, wax melts, room sprays, candles and body products.

What this means for small makers

You may notice the following changes:

• Different maximum percentages for some fragrance oils
• Certain fragrances limited more strictly in diffusers
• Stricter usage levels in some categories
• More variation between oils than you may expect

You might not need to reformulate everything. However, it is important to check the latest IFRA certificate for each fragrance and update your recipes or CLP labels when required.

The takeaway

IFRA 51 is not designed to frustrate makers. It is simply the latest scientific update that keeps fragrance safe for consumers. It can feel like a moving target, but once you understand the limits and deadlines, it becomes manageable.

If you are unsure how to interpret IFRA certificates, choose safe percentages or update your CLP labels, Sticky Print Pixels can help you stay compliant without the faff.

Need a simple list? Here is your quick checklist

1. Download the IFRA 51 certificate for each fragrance oil.
2. Confirm the category your product falls into.
3. Compare the new maximum percentage with your current usage.
4. Adjust your formula if needed.
5. Update your CLP label if the classification changes.
6. Ensure everything is compliant before the 2025 deadline.