Brussels, 6 November 2025 – The Council of the European Union’s General Approach on the Chemicals Omnibus (Omnibus VI) Regulation has missed the chance to simplify provisions of the Cosmetics Products Regulation and tackle long-lasting competitiveness hurdles identified by the industry while maintaining the highest consumer safety standards. This outcome risks undoing progress towards a clearer and more predictable system. The cosmetics, fragrance and essential oil industries are deeply concerned by this outcome.
“Consumer protection is the foundation of trust and our industry’s reputation for excellence,” said Alexander Mohr, President of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). “The Commission’s proposal reduced unnecessary burdens without compromising safety. Despite what they might claim, the Council’s position misses that balance.”
“The Council’s position reinstates unnecessary red tape. There is a lack of coherence between the EU’s ambitions to increase competitiveness and the Council’s hesitance to support effective simplification. We regret this lost opportunity to better ensure safe ingredients and products stay on the market” added John Chave, Director General of Cosmetics Europe.
“We are in a critical phase where companies are constantly reformulating their products while we should instead incentivise companies to invest in Europe. It is therefore necessary to have the right regulatory framework in place to ensure long term business planning.” pointed out Andrea Maltagliati, Secretary-General of the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI).
The cosmetics, fragrance and essential oils industries are particularly worried about the Council approach on the provisions on the derogation procedure and related timelines under Article 15 of the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
The Council’s approach to the provisions on the derogation procedure for ingredients classified by hazard fails to clarify and simplify the process, leaving the system unworkable. It could lead to the removal of many safe and long-used ingredients from the market. Additionally, some derogation criteria remain insurmountable, notably the requirement to prove the absence of suitable alternatives.
The Council’s proposed six-month transition for placing products on the market and twelve months for sale are insufficient for the industry and in particular for SMEs. They will create market disruptions and risk forcing companies to destroy safe products, contradicting EU circular economy goals.
“For many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), these timelines are impossible,” SMEunited said. “They would cause waste, lost investments, and supply-chain disruption.”
“Our sector is mostly composed of small producers and family-owned companies; we need to make sure that this derogation process and timelines are manageable for all”, said Andrey Mitov, President of the European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO).
“This Omnibus is of critical importance for the essential oil industry worldwide as Europe is often taken as an example for the rest of the world. We must ensure that the legislation is proportionate, effective and tailored to the needs of the sector,” said Catherine Crowley, Member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT).
Mark Smith, Director General of the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE) said, “The Council General Approach on the Chemicals Omnibus risks to retain European consumer from access to products they trust, including natural and organic cosmetic products.”
The associations call for swift and ambitious regulation simplification to address regulatory burden impacting the cosmetics, fragrance and essential oil industries. We urge policymakers to align with a balanced proposal—one that maintains consumer safety, supports innovation, and provides workable criteria and timelines for industry. Only such an approach will preserve competitiveness while ensuring safe, sustainable products remain available to consumers.
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Co-signatories (alphabetical order)
About the signatory associations
About Cosmetics Europe
Cosmetics Europe is the European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry. Our members include cosmetics and personal care manufacturers, as well as associations representing our industry at national level across Europe.
About EFfCI
EFfCI is the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients, a trade association that brings together European manufacturers of synthetic and natural ingredients for the cosmetics and personal care industry.
About EFEO
The European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO) is committed to raising awareness among policymakers, regulators, and authorities regarding essential oils and their derivatives. EFEO advocates for a comprehensive understanding of their uses, cultural and economic importance, and the potential impact of legislative and regulatory measures on the sector.
About IFEAT
The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT) is a trade association founded in 1977. It represents the interests of companies involved in the production, processing, trading, and manufacturing of the many thousands of ingredients used in flavours and fragrances. Among its activities, IFEAT aims to raise awareness among political stakeholders regarding the nature, applications, and cultural and economic significance of essential oils and their derivatives.
About IFRA
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is the global voice of the fragrance industry. Since its creation in 1973, IFRA has brought together global fragrance houses companies, national associations, and regional fragrance ingredient manufacturers or compounders committed to ensuring the safe use of fragrance ingredients, grounded in science and responsibility. IFRA represents fragrance producers, works with regulators and international partners, and supports sustainability and innovation across the value chain.
About NATRUE
NATRUE is a Brussels-based international non-profit association committed to promoting and protecting Natural and Organic Cosmetics worldwide. Founded in 2007 by European pioneers from the sector, the association now represents companies producing natural and organic cosmetic products from around the world.
About SMEunited
SMEunited, formerly known as UEAPME, is the association of crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 65 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited is a recognised employers’ organisation and European Social Partner and acts on behalf of crafts and SMEs in the European Social Dialogue and in discussions with the EU institutions. We represent national cross-sectoral Craft and SME federations, European SME branch organisations and associate members. We speak on behalf of the 25,8 million SMEs in Europe which employ almost 88,7 million people. We are a non-profit seeking and non-partisan organisation.