56th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ESSENTIAL OILS
ISEO 2026
6-9 September 2026 Grasse, France
★★★★★
★★★★★
Invitation
On behalf of the Organising Committee, we are pleased to announce that the 56th International Symposium on Essential Oils (ISEO 2026) will be held from Sunday 6 to Wednesday 9 September 2026 in Grasse, France, at the prestigious Espace Chiris, in the heart of the world’s perfume capital.
Since its creation in 1969, the ISEO has established itself as the leading international event dedicated to the scientific study of essential oils, natural volatile compounds and their derivatives. Over the years, it has brought together up to 400 participants from all over the world, equally representing academia and industry, and covering a wide range of sectors from aromatics, cosmetics and nutraceuticals to pharmaceuticals, aromatherapy, agriculture and regulation.
The 2026 edition, organised by the Olf’Active Association, will continue this long-standing tradition of excellence, offering a multidisciplinary programme exploring the latest scientific, technological, and regulatory advances in the field of essential oils. The symposium will feature plenary lectures, oral communications, poster sessions, round tables, and thematic sessions, encouraging dialogue between researchers, industrial stakeholders, and regulators.
The international scope of ISEO is reflected in the diversity of its participants, coming from Europe, South Africa, Turkey, the United States, Brazil, Chile, Japan, Israel, Egypt, and many other countries. For the past decade, the event has also been recognized and supported by the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT), a global organization representing over 700 members across 67 countries. In line with its mission to foster innovation and knowledge sharing, IFEAT continues to support the participation of young researchers from both academia and industry through dedicated grants.
Beyond its scientific and technical dimension, ISEO 2026 will serve as a unique platform for networking and international collaboration, opening new perspectives for the future of essential oils and natural volatile products.
After a decade since its last French edition in Nice (2016), the scientific and industrial community eagerly welcomes this long-awaited return to France. Grasse, cradle of perfumery and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018 for its intangible savoir-faire, offers the perfect setting for this exceptional gathering.
We warmly invite you to join us in Grasse for ISEO 2026, to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and celebrate the science and art of essential oils.
Dr. Nicolas Baldovini
President of the ISEO 2026 Organising Committee
Member of the Permanent Scientific Committee of ISEO
Nicolas.BALDOVINI@univ-cotedazur.fr
Dr. Esméralda Cicchetti
Co-founder and Co-director of Olf’Active non profit organization
contact@olfactiveassociation.org
Venue
For centuries, Grasse has embodied the excellence of perfume and has shone internationally thanks to its unique expertise. As the cradle of perfumery, the city has developed exceptional know-how in the cultivation of perfume plants, the extraction of essences and the art of olfactory creation. Its privileged climate favours the cultivation of emblematic flowers such as May rose, jasmine grandiflorum and tuberose, precious raw materials used by the greatest perfume houses. This living heritage, passed down from generation to generation, was recognised in 2018 by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Grasse remains a hub of innovation where artisan perfumers, growers and industry professionals work side by side. Its specialised schools train the creators of tomorrow, thus perpetuating a tradition of excellence. Between museums, workshops and flower fields, the city offers an unforgettable sensory immersion at the very heart of perfume.
The congress venue will be located in the heart of Grasse, at the “Espace Chiris”, set within the former hydrocarbon hall of the historic Chiris factory. Inaugurated in 1899, this distinctive building, soon known as “La Mosquée” due to its oriental-inspired architecture, was the first facility in Grasse dedicated to perfume extraction using solvents. It marked a decisive moment in industrial history, as the Chiris company became the first producer of perfumery raw materials to adapt this technique to an industrial scale.
After the factory’s closure and the disappearance of the Chiris enterprise in the 1980s, the entire site was acquired by the City of Grasse. Listed as a historic monument since 1989, La Mosquée has since been restored and today houses a community hall and sports facilities, combining modern utility with respect for its industrial past.
Within this unique setting, where heritage and renewal converge, the congress will be held in an environment designed to support professional exchanges with both efficiency and character.
(c) Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse
About ISEO
International Symposium of Essential oils (ISEO) idea was initiated in 1968 at the GA meeting in Würzburg, Germany during the discussions of Profs. Anders Baerheim Svendsen, Karl-Heinz Kubeczka, Friedrich Wilhelm Hefendehl and Dr. Jan Karlsen.
It was proposed to hold a discussion group for all aspects of essential oils (separation of terpenes, chemistry, chemotaxonomy or other relevant topics regarding the constituents of essential oils).
In 1969, an informal meeting was organized by F. W. Hefendehl (University of Freiburg, FRG), K.-H. Kubeczka (Technical University of Karslruhe, FRG). Dr J. Karlsen and Professor A. Baerheim Svendsen (both State University of Leiden, The Netherlands).
The first Symposia, organized from 1971 to around 1980, were named as Symposium Ätherische Öle and, then, changed into International Symposium on Essential Oils (ISEO).
56 th
1994
The first time in France and in Grasse
Edition in 2026
Sponsors
Sponsoring offers:
Organization sponsors
Sponsor of Young Scientist Fellowship Award and EFEO-IFEAT Scientific Program session
Supporting partners
Bronze sponsors
Gold sponsor
Sponsor of ISEO Medal
Sponsor of EFEO-IFEAT Scientific Program session
Communication
Registration
Prices of registration fees are in EURO (€), VAT included
Registration is required for all conference participants preferably until June 30, 2026 (early registration).
The registration fees for participants includes: Welcome reception, admission to all scientific sessions, admission to the exhibition, conference bag, coffee breaks, lunches.
Cost of accompanying persons includes: Welcome reception, lunches, wednesday excursion
Symposium dinner (Tuesday 8th of September) and wednesday excursion are not included in the registration fees but should be booked during the online registration.
If you require an invitation letter please send an e-mail to contact@olfactiveassociation.org
Payment method
Registration fees can be paid by card or by SEPA transfer (no SWIFT transfer) using the below registration form (invoiced, an invoice will be sent via e-mail after the registration).
Account Holder: ASSOCIATION OLF'ACTIVE
Address: 26 Chemin Des Castors, 06130 Grasse, France
Bank: SumUp Limited
IBAN: IE52SUMU99036512020803
BIC Swift: SUMUIE22XXX
Reason for the transfer: Registration ISEO2026 Name Surname
Cancellation policy
Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Event management team (email: contact@olfactiveassociation.org ).
Cancellations received before July 15th, 2026 (11:59 pm CET) will receive full fee.
Cancellations received after July 15th, 2026 (11:59 pm CET) or no-shows will receive no refund of the conference fees
* Additional discount on early bird registration fees for Innov'Alliance members: -5 %
Registration form for ISEO 2026
(Payment by card via HelloAsso)
HelloAsso is a French solution provided to non-profit organizations.
The interface is only in French so here is some help to use it and register with card-payment of the fees. If needed, please contact us by e-mail.
Useful information
Sunday 6 September : Registration and Welcome party
Monday 7 September : Full-day sessions
Tuesday 8 September : Full-day sessions ; Symposium dinner
Wednesday 9 September : Morning sessions ; Excursion
Symposium schedule
Language
The official language of the ISEO2016 is English. There will be no simultaneous translation.
Important Dates
Deadline for application to IFEAT Fellowship:
1st of May 2026 extended deadline 15 May 2026
Deadline for Submission of Abstracts:
15 May 2026 extended deadline 29 May 2026
Abstract Acceptance Notification:
31 May 2026 7 June 2026
Deadline for Early Bird Registration:
30 June 2026
Accommodation Options for ISEO 2026 Participants
To facilitate your stay during the 56th ISEO 2026, we suggest below different accommodation options.
Please note that rooms cannot be pre-blocked for participants, and availability may therefore be limited. We strongly recommend that you book your accommodation as early as possible.
1. Le Virginia – Walking distance from the venue
The Hôtel Virginia is the closest accommodation option to the conference venue, located approximately a 7-minutes walk from the Espace Chiris. It is located at 15-minutes walk from the train station.
This option is particularly convenient for participants who wish to:
Minimize commuting time
Easily return to their room during the day
Enjoy a fully walkable conference experience
Preferential rates have been negotiated for ISEO participants:
€112 per apartment
€100 per studio
To benefit from these rates, reservations must be made directly with the hotel (by email or phone: Mice@vacanceole.com +334 79 75 75 31). Please mention the promotional code: ISEO2026.
Bookings at the Le Virginia residence are subject to a minimum stay of two nights.
2. Ibis Styles Mouans-Sartoux – Easy access by train
An alternative option is the Ibis hotel in Mouans-Sartoux, located in a nearby town.
While slightly further from the venue, it offers a pleasant environment in a charming Provence style village. It is particularly lively in the evening, with a variety of restaurants and cafés within walking distance.
Access to the conference venue is straightforward:
The hotel is located in front of the Mouans-Sartoux train station.
Direct regional trains connect Mouans-Sartoux to Grasse in approximately 6–7 minutes, with departures each 30 minutes.
From Grasse train station, the Espace Chiris can be reached on foot in about 15 minutes.
This option may appeal to participants who prefer:
A more animated setting in the evenings
Additional dining and leisure options
ISEO participants benefit from a 5% discount on the daily rate (which may vary depending on the booking period, in accordance with ibis pricing policy). To benefit from this offer:
Reservations must be made directly with the hotel (by email or phone: h6866-bo@accor.com. +334 92 28 32 02). Please mention the promotional code: ISEO2026
3. in Grasse and surroundings
Grasse and its surrounding area offer a wide range of additional accommodation possibilities, including hotels, guesthouses, and short-term rentals. A curated list of further options is available on this link, to help you find accommodation that best suits your preferences and budget.
4. in Cannes
For participants wishing to fully enjoy the heart of the French Riviera, Cannes offers an attractive alternative. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, seaside setting, and lively nightlife, it provides a wide range of accommodation options along the Mediterranean coast. Cannes is well connected to Grasse by train (30 min. trip, each 30 min.), making it a convenient and enjoyable place to stay during the conference.
General recommendation
Due to limited availability and the popularity of the region in early September, participants are strongly encouraged to secure their accommodation as soon as possible.
Young Scientists IFEAT Fellowship
The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT) will support 32 promising young essential oils scientists by providing funds for the reimbursement of their registration fees.
Requirements for application:
Applicants must be under the age of 35
Submission of abstract via our online system
Sending a CV and list of publications to iseograsse2026@gmail.com
Object of the email: ISEO2026_fellowship_SURNAME_NAME
Deadline for application: 1st of May 2026 15 of May 2026
ISEO Medal
The first promoters of the ISEO Medal were Giovanni Dugo and Luigi Mondello, Chairmen of the 35th ISEO organized in Giardini Naxos, Italy, in 2004.
The idea of the ISEO medal came up again in 2017, when the Permanent ISEO Scientific Committee has decided to create an honorary medal to be attributed every year to a scientist that during his scientific carrier has contributed significantly and innovativelyto promote the development of the scientific knowledge in the essential oil field. The ISEO Medal was officially launched in 2019, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ISEO, held in Vienna, Austria.
The Medal design and creation are of Sergio Tranfo, an artist from Messina, Italy, depicting a well-known terpene molecule present in essential oils and a stylization of leaves that represent the naturalness of its origin.
The scientific topics to be considered for the award must illustrate one or more aspects of the multitask discipline including botany and cultivation, chemistry, biological activity, and applications in food, cosmetic, pharmaceuticaland other fields
Previous ISEO Medal of Honour Recipients
2019: Prof. Ian Karlsen, University of Oslo, Norway (50th ISEO, Wien, Austria)
2021: Prof. Karl Heinz Kubeczka, University of Wurzburg, Germany (51st ISEO, Turkey, on-line)
2022: Prof. Carlo Bicchi, University of Turin, Italy (52nd ISEO, Wroclaw, Poland)
2023: Prof. Dr. Kemal Hüsnü Can Başer, University of Nicosia, N. Cyprus and
Prof. Giovanni Dugo, University of Messina, Italy (53nd ISEO, Millazzo, Messina, Italy)
2024: Prof. Dr. Yoshinori Asakawa, Institute of Pharmacognosy, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima,JAPAN
Prof. Dr. Chlodwig Franz, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, AUSTRIA (54nd ISEO, Balatonalmadi-Hungary)
2025: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Buchbauer, Emeritiert, University of Vienna,Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vienna, AUSTRIA
Prof. Dr. Ana Cristina Figueiredo, University of Lisbon, Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon, Lisbon, PORTUGAL (55th ISEO, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Thomas DUTRIEZ, PhD
Givaudan International, Product Safety Science Laboratories CoE
Switzerland
Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: GC×GC‑MS driving a new era of compositional and regulatory understanding of fragrance ingredients
Jean-Claude ELLENA
Perfumer-Gardener
France
On the Scent of Gardens: A Perspective from Both Perfumer and Botanist
Makoto EMURA, PhD
Takasago International Corporation, Corporate R&D
Japan
Paradigm shift of structure analysis of aroma constituents in natural products applying crystalline sponge method
Pierre-Marie TOUTAIN
French and European Patent Attorney, Patent Litigator – Unified Patent Court
Santarelli
France
Tetyana DELORY
Partner - French and European Trademark and Design Attorney
Santarelli
France
From biological assets to legal assets - intellectual property as a strategic lever
Program (pending)
Confirmed invited Speakers
EFEO IFEAT Scientific Program Session
Essential Oil or Its Constituents?
The Scientific Challenge in a Regulatory Environment
8 September 2026 (afternoon)
By December 2029, the European Commission will decide how plant derived substances containing more than one constituent are treated under the European Union Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (CLP). This decision will directly shape the future classification of essential oils and natural extracts, with important consequences for innovation, market access and regulatory consistency. At the heart of the debate lies a simple but crucial question: can naturally complex materials such as essential oils really be assessed in the same way as synthetic mixtures of isolated components?
The EFEO IFEAT Scientific Program is a joint initiative of the European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO) and the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT). It was created to help answer this question through collaborative, independent and high quality research. Bringing together academic experts, industry scientists and regulatory specialists, the Program is generating evidence across analytical chemistry, human health, and environmental fate to demonstrate why essential oils are unique natural single substances with intrinsic properties that cannot be systematically or reliably predicted from those of their individual constituents and therefore cannot be equated with synthetic mixtures of isolated components for classification or other regulatory purposes.
We are calling for targeted expertise and engagement. Your participation can directly influence the scientific and regulatory outcomes that will define the future of natural substances in the European Union market. Join us to discover how independent science meets regulation to protect the business of natural extracts and help lead the way.
Jonathan M. BONELLO, PhD, FRSC
IFEAT Scientific Platform Coordinator and Program Officer
Confirmed speakers
Professor Sylvain ANTONIOTTI
Vice President of Université Côte d’Azur, France
To what extent are the olfactory properties of essential oils the sum of the individual properties of their constituents?
Jocelyne KURTZ
Mane, Vice President, Innovative Ingredients and Raw Materials, Global Regulatory Affairs & Product Safety
Philippe MERLE
DSM Firmenich, Principal Scientist, Senior Researcher, Switzerland
Chair of the Working Group On Methods of Analysis (WGMA) at International Organisation of the Flavor Industry (IOFI)
Analytical Quantification Challenges for Regulated Molecules in Essential Oils and Other Natural Ingredients
Professor Luigi MONDELLO
President of the Società Chimica Italiana (SCI).
President of the ISEO Permanent Scientific Committee
Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry
Dipartimento ChiBioFarAm- Università degli Studi di Messina
Reliable Identification and Quantification of Natural Constituents in Complex Matrices
Paul THOMAS, PhD, ERT
Founder and President, KREATiS; Senior Ecotoxicologist
BioSINC Project Update: New Insights into the Biodegradability of Essential Oils and Their Constituents
Robin HUBER, PhD
DSM-Firmenich, Scientist Ingredient Discovery
Switzerland
Biotechnological Approaches for Innovation in the Fragrance Industry
Call for papers
Call for Papers - Extended deadline: 29 May 2026
The scientific program will include both oral and poster presentations. A specific session will be dedicated to presentations from young scientists, who we like to encourage to register for the 'Young Scientist Session'.
Duration of the oral communications (including questions) : 15 minutes. Young scientist session : 10 minutes.
Abstract:
You are invited to submit original contributions for oral and poster presentations related to the topics of the Symposium. The use of an abstract template is mandatory. Correspondence regarding the abstracts will only be sent to the corresponding author. It is their responsibility to forward the information to all co-authors. Every effort will be made to accommodate the author’s preference for oral presentation or poster, but the organizers reserve the right to make the final decision. At least one of the authors must register to the congress, otherwise the abstract will not be considered by the Scientific Committee. One registered participant may submit two abstracts.
Oral presentations: PowerPoint, PDF presentations are accepted on USB sticks.
Poster presentations : Poster size: A0 (841 mm x 1189 mm) Orientation: Portrait
Abstracts should be sent at iseograsse2026@gmail.com .
Depending on the type of contribution, the abstract word document name should be either « Name of the contributor_oral.docx » or « Name of the contributor_poster.docx »
Committees
Luigi Mondello
President, University of Messina, Italy
Permanent Scientific Committee (PSC)
Humberto Bizzo
Executive Secretary, Embrapa Food Technology, Brazil
Yoshinori Asakawa
Tokushima Bunri University, Japan
Györgyi Horváth
vice-President, University of Pécs, Hungary
Nicolas Baldovini
University Côte d’Azur, France
Hüsnü Can Baser
Near East University, Cyprus
Jonathan Bonello
IFEAT, UK
Carlo Bicchi
University of Turin, Italy
Fatih Demirci
Anadolu University, Turkey
Jan Demyttenaere
European Flavour & Fragrance, Belgium
Hurija Džudžević - Čančar
University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Paola Dugo
University of Messina, Italy
Adam F. Feyaerts
KU Leuven, Belgium
Ana Cristina Figueiredo
University of Lisbon, Portugal
Michael Keusgen
The Philipps University of Marburg, Germany
Eisuke Kuraya
National Institute of Technology, Okinawa College: Nago, Japan
Agnieszka Ludwiczuk
Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Niko Radulović
University of Niš, Serbia
Johannes Novak
University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria
Patrizia Rubiolo
Universtity of Turin, Italy
Iris Stappen
The University of Vienna, Austria
Sandy Van Vuuren
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Daniel Strub
Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland
Alvaro Viljoen
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Éva Zámboriné-Németh
Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
Eduardo Dellacassa
University of the Republic of Uruguay, Uruguay
Elena Stashenko
Industrial University of Santander, Colombia
Hussein Fakhry
A. Fakhry & Co. Egypt
Anders Baerheim-Svendsen †
University of Oslo, Norway
Honorary Members
Jan Karlsen †
University of Oslo, Norway
Karl-Heinz Kubeczka †
University of Hamburg, Germany
Stanisław Lochyński†
Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland
Marta Pavarino
University of Turin, Italy
Junior Members
Viktória Baláz
University of Pécs, Hungary
Tania M. G. Salerno
University of Messina, Italy
Alexandra Machado
University of Lisbon, Portugal
Alicja Surowiak
Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland
Laboratoire Phytochemia, Quebec
