The Background
The IFRA organization communicated out changes for the 49th Amendment in Jan 2020. These made an incredible amount of changes to the categories that products fall into, the usage rates for oils in those categories, and the allowable percentages of several constituents that were not previously restricted for use, and in some cases further restricted ones that were ALREADY restricted.
These changes were based on years of research and studies about maximum exposure to certain types of chemical compounds found in natural (aka essential oil) and artificial fragrances (lab derived fragrance oils, etc).
Given the global pandemic from COVID19, the original deadlines for complying with the 49th Amendment were extended. This gave struggling suppliers time to react to the changes outlined– both from updating their usages for their existing essential oils and fragrances, and in some cases reformulating their fragrances entirely. Nearly all existing products must have updated IFRA certificates in place by Feb 2022. Most suppliers now have updated certificates in place.
If you want the granular detail about this change: The full details of the entire set of changes from the 49th Amendment can be located on the IFRA Standards page– you can download all the sheets and explanation information directly from there, should you want to explore it in greater depth. Each constituent update can also be accessed from the IFRA Library, and we link to this library under each oil’s constituents.
What This Means
We have made the comprehensive updates on the restrictions, for those oils which we feature on the calculator.
As a result, blends and oils that used to have an allowable rate under the previous 48th Amendment, are NO LONGER VALID. Many restrictions are in place on oils, that previously had high allowable usage rates.
Using Spearmint as a big example, the main constituent that has been severely restricted by IFRA 49th is Carvone (the average content for Spearmint is 67% Carvone). This was not previously a constituent with high restrictions. So, as a result of the updates, all oil blends, fragrances, etc that contain high levels of Carvone now have a much, much much, more restricted level of use.
Many other constituents were added with restrictions for use, which means any blends or oils you previously have made and formulated, you must re-run your calculations using the 49th IFRA information– it is always your responsibility as a crafter of bath and body goods to keep documentation on, and continue to monitor the usage of, any fragrance and oil compounds you use for your formulas.
We have taken the time to audit the existing Blend Library to adjust (or remove) blends that were no longer in compliance with the typical usage rates. Changes have been made to some to retain the ‘spirit’ of the original, but with a much safer usage rate.
What You Should Do
Ensure you have all the updated IFRA certificates for any essential oils or fragrances that you use to make products for sale or personal use. Use our calculator to help check any existing blends you may have used in the past, or plan to use in the future. Cross reference those suggested results with the maximums that YOUR supplier’s documentation has listed.
For an overview of the updated product categories, along with suggested formulation rates, see our post Updated Product Categories In This Calculator (Jul 2021). You will want to use the calculator to check your blends by the category that fits your project.
The information provided within the essential oil blending calculator is for educational purposes only. While Essentially Speaking, LLC has made every effort to verify the information presented, the data is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should only be used as a guideline. Every essential oil contains natural variations from crop to crop, batch to batch, and cannot be accounted for in this calculator. It is your responsibility to use essential oils safely in accordance with common sense, research, training, and local regulations, as well as considering the constituents present that are unique to the essential oils you are using.
Help Us Keep This FREE Resource Alive
The updates and cost to run this free Essential Oil Calculator can take a lot of time and money. You can support us in this work in many ways!
- Donate to us on Paypal! (We call this the ‘caffeine and chocolate’ fund– we’re not a non profit, but we would appreciate the support.)
- Looking To Make Your Passion Into An Amazing, Profitable Soapmaking Business? Sign up for Modern Soapmaking’s Soapmaker to Moneymaker program. A huge wealth of knowledge, taking you from A to Z about how to get set up right from the start, and have your business paying you from the start!
- Purchase items on Amazon – When you shop on Amazon after clicking one of our affiliate links (no matter what you purchase), we receive a small percentage of revenue from the Amazon Affiliates program.
- Purchase items from Plant Therapy – Suppliers of a wide variety of essential oils in a variety of sizes. When you shop on Plant Therapy’s site after clicking on our affiliate links, no matter what you purchase, we receive a small percentage of the revenue from their Affiliate Program. Plant Therapy also has a great Bulk program with larger quantities of carrier oils and essential oils.
- Purchase items from Mountain Rose Herbs – Suppliers of a wide variety of essential oils, additives, clays and botanicals! When you shop on Mountain Rose Herbs’ site after clicking on our affiliate links, no matter what you purchase, we receive a small percentage of the revenue from their Affiliate Program.
- Purchase from Mad Micas – When you shop on Mad Micas’ site after clicking on our affiliate links, no matter what you purchase, we receive a small percentage of the revenue from their Affiliate Program. Mad Micas sells quality, ethically sourced mica colorants in a rainbow of hues, for those who prefer to use micas!
- Buy Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) From Duda Diesel – Lye supplier located in the USA. Bulk and small amounts available. When you shop from this link we receive a small percentage of the purchase.
