FRAGRANCE KNOW-HOW
How to read an IFRA certificate? 
You've bought your fragrance oil and downloaded its IFRA certificate. But which number should you actually be looking at?
Whether you're making candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, room sprays or bath and body products, reading an IFRA certificate comes down to three essential checks: the correct fragrance, the correct finished-product category and the correct maximum concentration. Here's how to read the document and put its numbers into context.
01. What is an IFRA certificate?
An IFRA certificate provides information about the maximum permitted concentration of a particular fragrance for different types of finished products. Different products involve different uses and levels of exposure, which is why the permitted concentration can vary depending on what you are making.
02. Three checks before you pour
03. Three checks before you pour
For example: Using Black Cherry? Open the IFRA certificate supplied for Black Cherry.
A similar fragrance name should not be assumed to have the same technical information. Always use the current certificate available from the relevant fragrance page on our website.
What about the IFRA Amendment?
Your certificate will state which IFRA Amendment it was prepared against. IFRA Standards are periodically updated, so always use the current certificate supplied by Craft HQ for your fragrance, rather than relying on an older copy.
04. What are you making?
Different types of finished products fall into different IFRA categories. First identify what you are making, for example a candle, wax melt, reed diffuser, room spray or soap. Then find the corresponding category number on the certificate for your fragrance. The percentage shown for that category is the maximum permitted concentration for that particular fragrance and use.
05. Find the category on the certificate
Here's an example of where to find the information on an IFRA certificate.
06. How do I calculate the percentage?
The percentage is calculated against the total finished-product weight, including the fragrance. It is not a recommended dosage.
Example only - not a universal IFRA limit.
If the relevant category shows a maximum of 2% and you are making 100g of finished product, the calculation is:
100g x 2 / 100 = 2g of fragrance
07. What does 100% mean on an IFRA certificate?
If your IFRA certificate shows 100% for a particular category, this does not mean you should use the fragrance neat or formulate your finished product with 100% fragrance oil.
It means the certificate does not specify a lower maximum concentration for that fragrance in that category. You must still formulate a suitable and safe finished product and follow all other applicable product, safety and regulatory requirements.
08. What an IFRA certificate does - and does not - tell you
- It helps you check the maximum permitted concentration for you fragrance in different finished-product categories.
- It forms part of the technical information for your fragrance.
It does not replace:
- formulation and product testing;
- a finished-product safety assessment where required;
- applicable legal and regulatory requirements;
- other relevant technical documentation.
09. Quick example: 3% of 200g
If the relevant maximum concentration were 3% and you were making 200g of finished product.
200g x 3 / 100 = 6g of fragrance
6g fragrance + 194g base = 200g total
Example only - not a universal IFRA limit.
