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The A.I.S.E. Air Fresheners Product Stewardship Programme
An initiative of A.I.S.E., the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products to promote responsible manufacturing, communication and use of Air Fresheners.  | Please click here for the list of companies committed to the A.I.S.E. Air Fresheners Product Stewardship Programme. The Importance of Air Fresheners
Natural ventilation is a common good hygiene practice. However, complementary to that, we have seen over the last 2000 years, a variety of compounds, including numerous spices and floral extracts, being used for their ability to emit pleasant aromas, mask unpleasant odours and provide an overall sense of well-being. There are several facts about our current social environment that can help us understand, why Air Fresheners are today, still, of great importance in improving consumers’ comfort and quality of life: - Between 80 and 90 per cent of our time is spent indoors.
- More than 50 per cent of the world population is living in built up areas (towns, cities). In industrialised countries, these figures are even higher.
- Due to an increase in pollution, energy saving consciousness etc, windows are mostly kept shut.
- Homes have become smaller (single households, less space).
In particular, the last two points are the reason why unpleasant odours are easily spread and linger in homes. Air Fresheners are designed to help consumers deal with these household odour problems. The fragrances create a fresh and pleasant atmosphere in the home. Furthermore, pleasant odours have a positive impact on consumers’ mood. |
The A.I.S.E. Air Fresheners Product Stewardship Programme
The Air Fresheners Products Stewardship Programme is a new initiative of A.I.S.E., the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance products, which represents, among others, the Air Fresheners products industry across Europe. It builds on a series of voluntary initiatives already undertaken by A.I.S.E in the domain of safety assessment and sustainability. The programme is open to European companies from that industry sector, and, like most other A.I.S.E. agreements, it goes beyond the legislative requirements covering those products. (The following pieces of legislation apply for Air Fresheners: Directive on classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances - (67/548/EEC), Dangerous Preparation Directive - (1999/45/EC), Directive on restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances - (76/769/EEC), General Product Safety Directive - (2001/95/EC), Aerosol Dispensers Directive - (75/324/EEC)). Any European companies from this industry sector are eligible to join. The programme aims at promoting best practice in the industry, through responsible manufacturing, communication and use of Air Fresheners across Europe, allowing consumers to make the best-informed choices about safe product usage. |
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For whom?
Any company that produces and puts Air Fresheners products on the market in Europe (EU, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) can participate, regardless of whether or not they are members of A.I.S.E. or one of its national associations.The programme covers the following categories of Air Fresheners: sprays (including aerosol – mini and pump-sprays), perfumed candles, liquid wick, gel, potpourris, electrical devices, car fresheners, and incense. The commitment
The Air Fresheners Product Stewardship Programme has been developed by A.I.S.E. members and is being implemented from November 2007 onwards. Companies participating in the A.I.S.E. Air Fresheners Product Stewardship Programme commit to apply the following, specifically developed, set of rules to their products in the following areas:  | > Product development/product safety:
For all products: Companies commit to evaluate their product’s ingredients, even, beyond current regulatory requirements in order to ensure that they are safe in use. This will be done by the systematic use of internationally recognised standards, e.g. WHO (World Health Organisation), IFRA (International Fragrance Association for fragrances. For combustion products: Where a participating company manufactures and/or places on the market a combustion product with flame, i.e. perfumed candles, it shall, in addition to complying with the Dangerous Preparations Directive and all relevant legislation, adopt the latest relevant CEN (European Committee for Normalisation) standards. For products with combustion without flame, participating companies are required to apply the precautionary principle on the basis of a careful scientific risk assessment which is currently used to assess incense cones and incense sticks that are manufactured and/or placed on the market. |
> Product Information
Product labels:
Product labels will be clearly visible and key safety messages will be obvious. Where appropriate, clear advice for safe usage of the product including maximum exposure will be made. Furthermore, inhalation abuse warnings on sprays using solvents and propellants will be added where applicable and within local frameworks. Consumers will find the two following sentences on the product labels of participating companies:
- "People suffering from perfume sensitivity should be cautious when using this product”
- "Air Fresheners do not replace good hygiene practices”. Participating companies will refrain from using the absence of banned materials in a product as a marketing claim (e.g. “without CFC”). Complementary Web information:
In addition to the Dangerous Preparation Directive requirements, all information on the ingredient composition (ingredients plus flagrance allergens exceeding 0,01% by weight) of the product will be made available to consumers using INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names as per the Detergent Regulation. This will be made available via a corporate website indicated on the product label. In addition, medical information will be made available upon request. > Product Form
Air freshener toy-shape products specifically intended to attract children will not be manufactured and/or be put on the market. > Product Communication & Advertising
Scenes involving pregnant women, babies or young children activating the product will not be used to advertise the goods. Appropriate use and handling of the product in compliance with product labeling will be demonstrated and all product claims will be substantiated. | 
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More Info
The International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, A.I.S.E., represents 35 national associations in 34 countries, and acts as the voice of the industry for all of its members. The Air Fresheners Products Stewardship Programme complements industry voluntary safety and sustainability projects and campaigns such as the HERA scheme (Human & Environmental Risk Assessment), Washright, the Safe Use icons, and the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning. Through this initiative, A.I.S.E. and its members want to provide consumers with the most appropriate information on the safe use of Air Fresheners. The programme will be implemented in close dialogue with stakeholders and interested bodies. To obtain a comprehensive copy of the A.I.S.E. Air Fresheners Product Stewardship Programme or for any further information, please contact A.I.S.E. or its National Associations. Documents Company participation List of companies committed to the A.I.S.E. Air Fresheners Stewardship Programme (please click on the company name to access the corporate website)
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