The
scientist who led the investigation which could see a key ingredient of Chanel
No.5 banned has defended his controversial proposals and reinforced the
association between allergies and perfume.
Dr Ian White, chairman of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer
Protection (SCCP), has asserted that the association between allergies and
perfumes is "not a trivial problem" and has rubbished claims that the
Committee's findings could cause "the death of perfume", as suggested
by the French perfumer's society.
Last week, the EU Scientific Committee called for tree moss, which
provides the woody notes in Chanel's signature scent and also Dior's Miss Dior
fragrance, to be banned outright. They also proposed a list of 100 allergens
that should be outlined on perfume packaging and called for the use of 12
common fragrance ingredients to be reduced to just 0.01 per cent. In response,
Chanel claimed that, if actioned, the proposals would mean "the end of
beautiful perfumes".
However, Dr White, who is a consultant dermatologist at Guy's and St
Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, has now revealed that it would be feasible for
Chanel to remove the highly-allergenic ingredient of tree moss without altering
the scent's famous smell. "Tree moss contains chemicals which are extreme
allergens. The manufacturers know this perfectly well," he told The
Independent . "They have funded research to reduce them - they can
extract these ingredients so the other constituents of the moss can still be
used."
Dr White further backed the Committee's proposals, saying: "This is
not to protect people with allergies but to prevent a whole new generation of
people developing allergies. Around 1.5 per cent of the population have become
allergic to a synthetic chemical, hydroxyisohexyl, which has been widely used
in skincare products over the over the past decade. The only thing to do is ban
it."
The EU Commissions Directorate General for Health and Consumers is
reportedly in talks with the perfume industry to consider the impact of the
report, however, the introduction of any new regulations within the industry is
not expected until January 2014.
Source: Fashion Telegraph
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