The International Fragrance Association -- IFRA -- celebrated the opening of its Asia-Pacific branch in Singapore. 

IFRA is a global trade organization that represents the fragrance industry. The new office opened with an evening of discussions and seminars that highlighted the positive role fragrance plays in people's lives, the contribution of the fragrance industry to economic wellbeing, and IFRA's role in setting high standards for safe use and environmental sustainability in the industry.

Michael Carlos, chairman, IFRA board, says, "The Asia-Pacific region is a major contributor to the global expansion of our industry: it is the world's fastest-growing consumer market for fragranced products, a major sourcing hub for raw materials, and home to a growing manufacturing and research and development center. It is therefore vital that IFRA is present on the ground to represent the fragrance industry, develop closer partnerships with stakeholders and authorities, and to highlight the important leadership role we play on safety and our work on sustainability."

One of IFRA APAC's priorities will be to increase awareness of the IFRA Standards, a global self-regulatory system to which all IFRA members adhere. The Standards, which ban or restrict use of certain fragrance ingredients, are based on rigorous scientific safety assessments by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), with the work overseen by an independent Expert Panel.

Martina Bianchini, president of IFRA, says, "IFRA is serious about its responsibility to ensure the safe use of fragrance ingredients. The Standards are a system that is scientifically robust, can react to new science and that have earned the trust of regulators. In the APAC region, we have already seen the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive refer to the IFRA Standards. We will use the opportunities presented by being based in the region to increase understanding of the Standards, build partnerships and ensure that the Standards become a reference point for the safe use of fragrance ingredients."

More than 100 stakeholders attended the event at Gardens by the Bay, including representatives of the Singaporean authorities. The IFRA APAC Branch Office will coordinate outreach with authorities throughout the region, working in coordination with the six IFRA National Member Associations in Asia-Pacific.

Photo: From left to right: Michael Carlos, chairman, IFRA, David Ellison, regional chair, IFRA APAC, Martina Bianchini, president, IFRA, Rohaya Mamat, Regional Director, IFRA APAC