Lavender blues as EU labels oil toxic
It is known as blue gold and it lends southern France the gentle hue and the sweet scent that are beloved of tourists – however, lavender smells foul to the European Union, which has classified essential oils made from it as toxic.
Furious producers are demanding urgent talks with the EU, saying that they could be driven out of business by its threat to put hazard warnings on their oils. Many have put up signs by their fields, saying: ‘‘Lavender in danger’’ and ‘‘Lavender is not a chemical’’.
‘‘We are small producers and we are facing a big European administration,’’ said Alain Aubanel, chairman of the Lavender Producers of the Drome and Ardeche areas. ‘‘It is very difficult for us.’’
The perfume wars come after an attempt by the EU to alleviate allergies and illnesses caused by substances found in paints, cleaners and other products.
The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach) regulation obliges manufacturers to identify health risks linked to their products and to warn consumers with pictograms on the packaging.
Aubanel said he had approved of the scheme, until he discovered that natural products made with lavender, jasmine, roses and thyme were also affected by Reach. He said the regulations, which take effect from 2018, mean that producers would have to test each of the 600 molecules in lavender and highlight those causing allergies, respiratory difficulties and other health problems.
Lavender comes into this category because linalyl acetate, one of the substances in its essential oils, is seen as harmful. ‘‘It’s absolutely crazy and totally false because lavender isn’t an allergen,’’ Aubanel said.