Regulatory frameworks for a safe and effective use of essential oils: A critical appraisal

Abstract

The safe and effective use of essential oils (EOs) will only be fully realized when coupled with supportive regulatory frameworks ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of these oils. The aim of this short communication was to present a critical appraisal of existing regulations governing the use and production of EOs, within the health and therapeutics, food industry, and cosmetics sectors. Although few regulations target the use of EOs in cosmetics, more structured regulatory frameworks exist within the health and therapeutics, and food industry domains. To that end, the main international entities involved in the regulation of EOs within these sectors are the World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization. As for the production of EOs, the International Organization for Standardization has set standard specifications for the derivation, characterization, packaging, labeling, and storage of EOs. Although existing regulations address important dimensions related to the production and use of EOs, a comprehensive and harmonized outlook on their regulations would be necessary to ensure their safe integration in the various industries. Such regulations ought to be informed by the important advances in the chemical and biological research unraveling the versatile and complex characteristics of these oils.

Keywords

• cosmetics
• essential oils
• food industry
• health
• regulation
• safety