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Why
do
we
list
linalool
and
d-limonene
on
some
of
our
labels? The European Union (EU) designated 26 fragrance allergens (16 occurring in natural complex substances such as essential oils) as requiring labeling on cosmetic and detergent products. This labeling must occur if the concentration of the designated ingredient exceeds 100 parts per million (ppm), or 0.01% for a rinse-off product, and 10 ppm, or 0.001% for a leave-on product. To help our consumers with sensitive skin, allergies, or asthma, Seventh Generation has decided to voluntarily list any of the 16 fragrance allergens found in essential oils that are present in its cleaners, using their International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names. When a fragrance allergen is present in a Seventh Generation cleaner it is because that allergen occurs in nature, as a component of the essential oils we use to fragrance our cleaners. It is difficult to fully comprehend the criteria used for the inclusion of these chemicals. Not everyone agrees with the selection of the 26 allergens.(2) Nonetheless, such labeling is a start and if consumers know what chemicals they are allergic to then they can avoid or cautiously use the suspect products. Table 1 lists all the 26 allergens designated by the EU. Once
it
is
known
with
certainty
just
what
chemicals
are
used
frequently
in
fragrances
and
whether
or
not
they
are
common
allergens,
selective
and
rational
labeling
will
make
even
more
sense. Table 1: List of 26 fragrance allergens designated by the EU
At
what
concentration
are
they
present
in
our
products?
(1)European
Union
cosmetics
directive
76/768/EEC-7th
amendment
(Council
Directive
2003/15/EC).
Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union.
Brussels,
Belgium.
2003. |
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