Fragrance- and scent-free precedents already exist across public health, medicine, workplace safety, accessibility, and product disclosure.
A Note on Policy Language
Policies use different terms—including fragrance, scent, and sometimes both. Terminology varies; what matters most is the scope. Effective policies clearly define which fragranced and scented products, practices, and sources are covered.
🏛️ Government Workplace
In 2009, CDC/ATSDR policy prohibited scented products inside agency workplaces and encouraged employees to be fragrance-free.1
Current status unconfirmed as of August 2026 — corrections welcome.
A major public-health agency treated fragrance as an indoor-air-quality issue — for its own staff.
⚕️ Medical Policy
AMA policy adopted in 2025 recognizing fragrance sensitivity and encouraging fragrance-free policies in health care, government, and nonprofits.2
The AMA connected fragrance exposure to accessibility, healthcare settings, research needs, and ingredient disclosure.
♿ Accessibility Policy
The U.S. Access Board asks participants at meetings and public events to avoid perfume, cologne, and other fragranced products.3
A federal accessibility agency recognizes fragrance as a barrier to participation and uses notices, signage, and event-site coordination to reduce exposure.
🏷️ Ingredient Transparency
EU Regulation 2023/1545 requires ~80 fragrance allergens to be named on cosmetic labels above set thresholds.4
The EU recognizes that fragrance ingredients can be relevant to consumer health and informed choice — especially for people with allergies or sensitivities.
📋 Right to Know
California requires covered cleaning and air-care products sold in the state to disclose intentionally added ingredients, including certain fragrance ingredients, though trade-secret protections remain intact.5
California already treats fragrance disclosure as part of a consumer and worker right-to-know framework.
🌿 Workplace Safety Guidance
CCOHS provides sample scent-free workplace policies, including language that prohibits scented products in the building and requires scent-free cleaning supplies.6
Workplace-safety and accommodation guidance recognizes that scent-free policies can be part of a broader health and safety program.7
🏥 Healthcare Access
Some hospitals and healthcare facilities ask everyone entering—including staff, patients, and visitors—to avoid fragranced personal products.8
Patients in care settings are often those most affected by fragrance — asthma, migraines, sensitivities, pregnancy.
🔎 Indoor Air Investigations
Some NIOSH workplace evaluations have recommended fragrance-free policies in response to indoor-air symptoms or concerns.9
Fragrance-free policy is recognized as a practical indoor-air management tool in workplace health investigations.
🫁 Workplace Health Policy
The American Lung Association provides employers with a sample policy for creating fragrance-free workplaces.10
The policy addresses scented personal-care products, air fresheners, candles, cleaning products, employee and visitor notices, signage, and enforcement.