These need to be studied in placebo-controlled trials. We do not support the use of treatments of these complaints that have not been proven to be effective if there is any risk that they may do more harm than good. The Directorate's primary mandate is to assess whether ingredients are safe and to regulate labelling. The Directorate reviews the published literature on toxicology and the guidelines of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel in the U.S. to determine the safety of ingredients. The Directorate has the authority to limit use of an ingredient if there is evidence it isn't safe.
Fragrance is defined as an ingredient that is deliberately added to impart a scent or mask a scent.
The Directorate notes that fragrances are complicated and are composed of many chemicals which would make it difficult to determine exactly what may cause a reaction in an individual. The Directorate also speculated that eliminating fragrance-specific ingredients may not resolve an individual's sensitivity problems since other ingredients will have intrinsic scents of their own. The Association clearly distinguishes the practice of environmental medicine from clinical ecology. The Director of the Association has expressed concern, based on the literature, that many MCS sufferers become dependent on a cycle of treatment with little tangible benefit. There are neither accepted theories of underlying mechanisms nor validated clinical criteria for diagnosis.