In early 2019, a group of key international stakeholders within the essential oil distribution chain formed the International Committee on Sustainability of Aromatic Plants and Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy and Natural Perfumery to review and resolve several serious issues facing the essential oil supply chain:
A high level of adulteration of essential oils
Increasing consumer demand for natural products created from flowers and plants leading to massive overharvesting and placing growing pressure on endangered or near-endangered plants and the indigenous people that depend on them. While efforts have been made in a few regions to solve these issues, much more needs to be done, and done transparently.
Increasing losses of market share by artisan natural perfumers and artisan aromatherapists to large perfume brands and massive, billion dollar aromatherapy retailers
Synthetic substances entering the natural essential oil supply chain
Supply of high value essential oil not keeping up with increasing consumer demand
Lack of awareness of consumers‘ need for sustainable practices and natural ingredients from the essential oil supply chain
The Committee is dedicated to strengthening and growing the Value-Added Essential Oil Supply Chain Community.