The interest group representing the aroma industry, which is known for its pro natural aromas stand, also claims that a lack of transparency on the part of Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), IFRA and the European Commission, means that information about the regulation proposals is scant.
An information letter on the subject, issued as IL799, was published at the end of 2007, but according to the body its contents were only disseminated amongst members of a professional association.
Further to this, the interest group says that a meeting is scheduled between IFRA and EU officials to discuss the regulation, which it claims will not provide any platform for opinions that might be contrary to the proposals.
Cropwatch's fight against tighter regulations governing the use of plant-based oils in cosmetic products came to the fore in August last year, when it said the EU proposals on the toxicity of certain plant based oils were not based on scientific reasoning.
Proposals stem from industry restructuring
Those proposals centered on oils, including pine, fir and spruce needle oils, which came about as part of a larger industry restructuring programme by IFRA, equally unpopular with Cropwatch.
IFRA introduced the 42 nd amendment to its Code of Practice earlier this year, releasing a revised Quantitative Risk Assessment booklet to educate fragrance suppliers on the new standards set regarding dermal sensitisation and the safety of ingredients.
The proposals over citrus oils are a further extension of these regulations.
IFRA says restrictions are science-based To back up its proposals restricting citrus oils in cosmetics, IFRA points to scientific evidence that suggests there are photo-carcinogenic and photo-mutagenic effects associated with furanocourmarins, which are mainly derived from citrus oils.
On the back of this evidence, Cropwatch says that the IFRA proposals aim to limit any combination of six furanocoumarins markers in finished cosmetic products, differentiated by tighter regulations for leave-on products.
The interest group claims that these proposals basically mean the end of the use of citrus oils in cosmetics products because they are so restrictive.