Retailers and consumers are urged to check the correctness of safety information on scented products following Health and Safety Authority market surveillance campaign.

HSA inspectors completed an enforcement project during 2023 on scented products for sale on the Irish market to check their compliance with the REACH and Classifications, Labelling and Packaging Regulations.

Scented products, including room sprays, pillow mists, air-fresheners and diffuser oils are commonly used to add fragrance to a room, soft furnishings or bedding or by using an electronic diffuser containing essential oils which emit a fragrant aroma over time. Many of these products are classified as skin sensitisers.

These product types were selected as they are known to contain hazardous substances and may have packaging that is attractive to children or confusing for consumers. The National Poison Information Centre (NPIC) reported[i] 180 calls relating to essential oils during 2021. 78% related to children under 10 years, 93% were accidental exposures, 82% involved ingestion, 28% cases were symptomatic.

HSA inspectors assessed 99 products from 51 brands across 30 companies, including importers, distributors and retailers. More than 50% of the products were imported from outside the EU.  

Overall, 60% of products checked did not comply with the hazard labelling requirements of CLP, with this figure rising to 78% for those imported from outside the EU only.  More than 30% of products were labelled as cosmetics, however, should have been labelled according to CLP with a hazard pictogram, signal word and hazard and precautionary statements. For example, an essential oil used as a room scent, is not a cosmetic and should have a CLP hazard label.

Other issues identified included packaging for hazardous scented products which was attractive to children, and missing hazard labelling information.

Retailers are reminded of their obligations to ensure that any scented product they sell contain the relevant safety information on the label in line with relevant chemicals legislation, noting that this obligation applies regardless of if the product is sold in store or online.

Consumers are encouraged to read the label before purchasing scented products as many contain chemicals that may be harmful if swallowed, result in skin reactions or may result in long-term skin sensitisation.  Consumers also should be aware of what do to do in the event of an accident. The NPIC use a sixteen digit alpha-numeric code called a Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) to access  information about the chemical in the event of an accident, so it is important that consumers familiarise themselves with all the CLP label elements, including the UFI. 

Further information

The HSA has published a podcast for consumers on buying products that are safe and a leaflet guiding retailers on their duties when selling chemicals online and in-store. 

HSA podcast: Smart Online Consumer: Buying Products that are Safe

HSA leaflet: Retailers Duties when Selling Chemical Products Online and In-store

Further information is available on the HSA website www.hsa.ie/chemicals and for any questions please contact our chemicals helpdesk chemicals@hsa.ie