A perfume ingredient list that ends in long chemical names can look alarming, but in the EU it is often a legal requirement. This guide explains what the European Commission says about fragrance allergen labeling, so you can read a perfume or scented product listing with more confidence. It covers the EU only. The US lets "fragrance" appear as a single word (see our cosmetic labels guide), and we did not read Great Britain's rules for this topic. This is general information, not medical advice: if you react to scented products, ask a pharmacist or doctor.

This guide is based on the public source listed below. We have not tested any perfume or store. For concentrations, samples and returns see our guide to buying fragrance online.

What the Commission says

Source: European Commission, "Fragrance allergens labelling" (the page shows no date). Last checked: 17 October 2026.

  • Named individually. Fragrance allergens listed in Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) must be named on the ingredient list, rather than being covered only by "parfum" or "aroma". The page does not name the substances: it points to Annex III as the binding list.
  • Thresholds. An allergen must be named when it is present above 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
  • 2023 update. Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 amended Annex III to add 56 more fragrance allergens and to regroup and update some existing entries.
  • Dates. From 31 July 2026, products that do not meet the new labeling rules cannot be placed on the EU market. Products already on the market before that date can stay on sale until 31 July 2028.

What that means on a listing

  1. A long ingredient list is normal for an EU perfume. Names such as linalool or limonene are the legal allergen list, not a sign of poor quality.
  2. Stock can differ. Until 31 July 2028, an EU shop may still sell older stock without the new labeling. Check the ingredient list on the listing or pack.
  3. If you react to scents, check the full ingredient list before you buy and ask a pharmacist or doctor about what to avoid. The page does not say which people are affected or what the substances do.
  4. Ordering from outside the EU. Labels follow the rules of the country the product was made for. A US perfume may show only "fragrance".
  5. Returns. Opened fragrance is often not returnable. Our guide covers samples and returns.

What we could not confirm

  • Which substances are on the Annex III list, how the rules apply in Great Britain, and what the legal ranges are for terms such as eau de parfum and eau de toilette (we found no primary source).

Source: European Commission, fragrance allergens labelling.