When you buy essential oils or fragrance oils in bulk, especially for your own brand or for export, you will hear three abbreviations again and again: COA, SDS and IFRA. These documents protect you, your customers and your business. This guide explains what each one is, what it contains and when you need it.
Aromya supplies COA, SDS and IFRA documents with bulk fragrance oil orders.
COA: Certificate of Analysis
A Certificate of Analysis is a quality report for a specific batch. It confirms that the oil you received matches its specification.
A COA usually includes:
- Product name and batch (lot) number
- Manufacturing or test date
- Appearance and colour
- Odour (matches standard)
- Physical tests such as specific gravity, refractive index and flash point
Why it matters: it proves batch-to-batch consistency. If a customer says a product smells different, the COA helps you trace the batch.
SDS: Safety Data Sheet
A Safety Data Sheet (sometimes called MSDS, Material Safety Data Sheet) explains how to handle, store, transport and dispose of the oil safely. It follows a standard 16-section format used internationally.
An SDS covers:
- Hazard identification and warning labels
- First-aid measures
- Fire-fighting measures and flash point
- Safe handling and storage
- Personal protection (gloves, ventilation)
- Transport information
Why it matters: couriers, freight forwarders, warehouses and marketplaces often ask for an SDS before they accept fragrance oils, because many oils are flammable.
IFRA certificate: safe use levels
IFRA is the International Fragrance Association, which publishes standards on how fragrance materials can be used safely. An IFRA certificate (also called an IFRA conformity certificate) for a fragrance oil shows the maximum percentage you can safely use in different product categories.
For example, the same fragrance oil may have one maximum level for a candle, a different one for a soap, and a much lower one for a product that stays on the skin. The certificate lists these limits category by category.
Why it matters: if you make candles, soaps, room sprays or cosmetics, the IFRA certificate tells you how much fragrance you can add. Buyers in the UK, EU and USA commonly expect to see it.
Quick comparison
| Document | Answers the question | Who asks for it |
|---|---|---|
| COA | Is this batch the right quality? | Brands, retailers, quality teams |
| SDS | How do I handle and ship it safely? | Couriers, warehouses, marketplaces, importers |
| IFRA | How much can I safely use in my product? | Candle, soap and cosmetic makers; export buyers |
When do you need these documents?
- Starting a private label brand: keep all three on file for every product.
- Selling on marketplaces: an SDS is often requested for fragrance products.
- Making candles or soaps: the IFRA certificate sets your safe fragrance load.
- Importing or exporting: buyers and shipping partners usually ask for SDS and COA, and often IFRA.
Tips when requesting documents
- Ask before you order, not after.
- Make sure the product name on the documents matches exactly what you are buying.
- Ask for a new COA with each batch.
- Keep digital copies organised by product and batch number.
Bulk fragrance oils with documents from Aromya
Aromya, a manufacturer in Rani Bagh, Delhi, supplies essential oils, fragrance oils and diffuser aroma oils in bulk from 1 kg, with COA, SDS and IFRA documents available on request. We export to the UK, USA, UAE, Germany and Thailand and work with brands, candle makers, spas and distributors.
See our bulk supplier page, our UK and USA export pages, or call or WhatsApp +91 90901 31361 / email sales@thearomya.com (Mon–Sat, 10 AM – 7 PM).
Frequently asked questions
Is MSDS the same as SDS?
Yes. MSDS is the older name. SDS is the current standard format with 16 sections.
Do essential oils need an IFRA certificate?
IFRA standards apply to fragrance materials, including many essential oils. Ask your supplier for IFRA information for the specific oil and product type.
Does Aromya provide COA, SDS and IFRA?
Yes. Aromya provides COA, SDS and IFRA documents on request with bulk orders.
