Essential Oils Expert Working Group

Aims and Intentions

The aims of the Expert Working Group are the elaboration and validation of analytical methods to determine the quality and authenticity of traded essential oils. This is mainly by the use of gas chromatography and has included the publication of fingerprint chromatograms, obtained under standard conditions, and the quantitative determination of individual components of interest.

The Expert Working Group responds to requests from the essential oils trade and demands arising from new legislation.

Individual members participate in committee meetings and working groups of the main trade associations of the flavour and fragrance industry and represent the UK at meetings of international and European standards and regulatory bodies. These include the ISO, CEN, BSI, IFEAT, IFRA, EFFA, EFEO, IOFI, RIFM and BEOA.

The Expert Working Group is, therefore, in a strong position to influence decisions made by these bodies, exchange information and avoid duplication of effort. Members comment on draft standards and monographs making recommendations on the UK vote as appropriate.

Membership of the Expert Working Group

Membership of the Essential Oils Expert Working Group, as of 1 May 2019:

Michael Milchard - Chairman
Neil DaCosta - International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (corresponding member)
Philippe Merle - Firmenich, Geneva
Glen Moran - CPL Aromas Ltd
Nick Moss - Aromatic Ingredients
David Moyler - Consultant
Neil Owen - Givaudan Ltd
Nick Roach - Fragrance Oils (Int.) Ltd
Alan Sherlock - Consultant (ex-R C Treat Ltd)
Tracey Smith - R C Treat Ltd
Barry Starr - Consultant (ex-Fragrance Oils (Int.) Ltd)
James Webb - F D Copeland & Sons Ltd
Roger Wood OBE - Secretary

Essential Oils Expert Working Group Reports

A: Current Series of Reports on the Application of Gas-Liquid Chromatography to the Analysis of Essential Oils

All published in the Analyst, unless otherwise stated

Part I. Determination of Cedrol 1971, 96, 887
Part II. Determination of 1,8-Cineole in Oils of Cardamom, Rosemary, Sage and spike Lavender 1973, 98, 616
Part III. The Determination of Geraniol in Oils of Citronella 1973, 98, 823
Part IV. Determination of Eugenol in Oil of Bay 1975, 100, 593
Part V. Determination of 1,8-Cineole in Oils of Lavender and Lavandin 1977, 102, 607
Part VI. Determination of Limonene and 1,8-Cineole in Oils of Peppermint 1978, 103, 375
Part VII. Fingerprinting of Essential Oils by Temperature-programmed Gas-Liquid Chromatography using a Carbowax 20M Stationary Phase 1980, 105, 262
Part VIII Fingerprinting of Essential Oils by Temperature-programmed Gas-Liquid Chromatography using Methyl Silicone Stationary Phases 1981, 106, 448
Part IX Determination of Eugenol in Oil of Cinnamon Bark 1981, 106, 456
Part X Fingerprinting of Specified Essential Oils by Standardised procedures 1984, 109, 1339
Part XI. Monographs for Seven Essential Oils 1984, 109, 1343
Part XII Determination of Patchouli Alcohol in Oil of Patchouli 1987, 112, 1315
Part XIII Determination of Octan-3-ol in Oils of Peppermint and Mint 1998, 113, 657
Part XIV Monographs for Five Essential Oils 1998, 113, 1225
Part XV Determination of “Rhodinol” in Oils of Geranaium 1990, 115, 459
Part XVI Monographs for Five Essential Oils 1993, 118, 1089
Part XVII Fingerprinting of Essential Oils by Temperature-programmed Gas-Liquid Chromatography using Capillary Columns with Non-polar Stationary Phases 1997, 122, 1167
Part XVIII Determination of safrole in oils of cinnamon leaf, Litsea cubeba, and nutmeg 2002, 127, 428
Part XIX Fingerprints of 12 essentials oils Perfumer & Flavorist 2004, 29 (5), 28
Part XX GLC fingerprint chromatograms of five essential oils Perfumer & Flavorist 2010, 35 (5), 34
Part XXI GLC fingerprint chromatograms of six essential oils Perfumer & Flavorist 2010, 35(6), 34
Part XXII. Determination of the 16 Alleged Skin Sensitizers in essential oils Perfumer and Flavorist 2012, 37 (6), 48
Part XXIII. Fingerprint GLC of selected Essential Oils intended for REACH registration (to be submitted for publication)