The fragrance industry is set to launch its first perfumers' union, targeting fair compensation, credit, and AI use standards for independent perfumers. For overseas buyers and distributors in medical aesthetics and beauty supply chains, this signals a shift toward transparency and ethical sourcing in fragrance creation, which may influence ingredient procurement and brand partnerships.
Union launch and mission
Michael Nordstrand, a New York-based perfumer known for creating scents for Tom Ford, Jo Malone London, and Troye Sivan's Tsu Lang Yor, is founding The Perfumers' Union. The organization, officially launching in September, aims to establish and standardize fair practices for how the fragrance industry utilizes, compensates, and credits independent perfumers. Membership is open to perfumers, brand founders, suppliers, and content creators.
Market context and growth
Independent fragrance sales are soaring, growing 46 percent in 2025 versus 11.4 percent for conglomerate-owned brands, according to NIQ data. Fragrance has been beauty's fastest-growing category for over four consecutive years, with sales up 16 percent in the mass market and 7 percent in prestige during Q1 2026, per Circana. This growth underscores the relevance of the union's efforts to protect independent creators.
Key tenets and standards
The union's core principles include: perfumers should be credited for their creations on brand websites and social media; development fees should become standard practice, compensating perfumers for time regardless of outcome; and AI use in perfume creation should be rejected. Nordstrand aims to create a reference guide similar to the Graphic Artist Guild Handbook for pricing, licensing, and contract negotiation.
What buyers should watch
For importers, distributors, and clinic buyers sourcing fragrances or scented products, the union's push for standardized development fees and credit may affect contract terms with independent perfumers. Brands that adopt these practices could signal ethical sourcing and transparency, potentially influencing supply chain decisions. The union's advisory committee includes industry figures like Pia Long of Olfiction and Saman Elyass of Polaris Olfactive.
First events and future plans
The first community event will be held in August at New York niche fragrance shop Stéle, with founders Jake Levy and Matt Belanger on the advisory committee. Following this, community meetings will be hosted multiple times a year via hybrid and digital formats. A website detailing the union's tenets is in development for September launch.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 18, 2026