Due to its potential toxicity, lavender essential oil might be banned by new European regulations.
The European Commission is studying a draft of new regulations in the field of chemicals, which falls under the Reach regulation (a European regulation to ensure the safe manufacture and use of chemical substances in the European industry).
This draft could affect essential oil producers, particularly those cultivating lavender. Indeed, Europe is considering reclassifying synthetic molecules by 2025, and might therefore classify lavender essential oil as a chemical product.
Catherine Rimbert, regional councilor of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and municipal councilor of Carpentras, has expressed her support for the lavender growers and criticized the European Commission’s initiative: “Alongside our Members of the European Parliament, we support the producers against the interference of Brussels’ bureaucracy in the heart of this ancient tradition. Lavender and lavandin essence has been used safely since antiquity in Mediterranean regions.”
The sector, which represents 9,000 direct jobs in the PACA region, has already suffered from climate fluctuations and the health situation. If this new regulation were to come into effect, there is no doubt that it would be deeply affected.
