Prodarom : National Union of Producers aromatic

About the history of PRODAROM ?

Taking the place of corporations with various formations in Grasse, like Jurande for the glovers- perfumers created in 1724, PRODAROM was originally created to be the "Trade union of the Perfumers-Distillers of the Alpes-Maritimes region" in the inaugural meeting of the 22 December 1898, held in the Town hall of Grasse. It was recognized by the government on the Board Meeting on the 31 December of the same year.
On the 17 January 1945 during the presidency of Mr Georges CHIRIS, the Trade union has changed designation and became the "National union of the Manufacturers and Importers of Essential Oils, Aromatic Products, Almond oil and Almond seed oil". On the 1 January 1974, taking into account the similarity of the problems that the natural and synthetic aromatic product manufacturers were facing, the National union of Natural Aromatic Product Manufacturers and the National union of Synthetic Aromatic Products merged to establish the Trade union under its current form: National Association of Fragrance Manufacturers - PRODAROM. It's headquarter is at Villa Margherite 48 avenue Riou Blanquet in Grasse.

The activities of members of PRODAROM ?

• production of essences from natural aromatic sources,
• purification of these essences,
• extraction of specific chemicals (isolates) from natural essences,
• modification of the isolates by chemical ways (hemi-synthesis),
• synthesis of specific aromatic chemicals (synthesis),
• commercialisation of the different ingredients mentioned above, or the various combinations of these ingredients ("bases" - "specialities"),
• creation and commercialisation of "fragrance compounds", complex mixtures made up of some of the above mentioned different ingredients, to be used for various finished products (fine fragrances, cosmetic products, soaps, detergents, cleaning products…).

ROLE AND MISSION OF THE TRADE UNION

The Trade union ensures for all of its members:

• at the national level :

- the representation as well as the defence of interests of this industry facing Regulatory Authorities: Ministry of Industry, Economy and Finance (DGCCRF), Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Work and Ministry of the Environment.
- the representation of the industry at UIC (Union of Chemical industries), at Medef (French Business Confederation), of AFSSaPS (French Agency for Security of Health products), at Universities, at industries supported by the FEBEA (Trade Association for Cosmetic Products) and the AFISE (Trade association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products).

• at the European level, and through its representation to the IFRA European Affairs Department, standing up for the industry facing the community Authorities. PRODAROM is a founding member of the EFFA.
 
• on the international level, by means of its representation to the IFRA (International Fragrance Association)), by the consistency of the professional activities and by taking measures of self-discipline concerning these activities. The before mentioned association created a Code of Best Practices and ensures the security of the usage of perfumed products by developing recommendations that prohibit or limit the use of certain ingredients based on results of toxicological tests.

Collection and dispersion to its members industry related information of all sources and all nature (legislation, statistics…).

Although the union does not have direct professional contact with the consumers, it frequently contributes to inform the general public. It is often called for by the media, by universities, students, statistical organizations…

Concerning the local activity, PRODAROM ensures moreover to its members :

• the representation at the municipal authorities, regional authorities (Municipality, General Council, the Regional Council of the Environment and Technological and Health Hazards(CODERST), Regional office of the National Health Insurance Fund, Regional Agency of the Environment, Construction and Housing issues (DREAL), Departmental Public Work and Agriculture Directorate (DDEA),…) as well as representation at other organizations (Water Agency, Chamber of commerce and Industry, Employers' Union of the Alpes-Maritimes region, Associations…)
• all information of social order.

 
PRODAROM also represents the interests of its members facing the producers of aromatic plants:

  At the national level, a s a member of the Board of Directors of the France Agri Mer.

Other Associations deriving from PRODAROM:

• ASFO GRASSE: professional training centre, specialized in the field of the Fragrances, Flavours and Cosmetic.

ORGANIZATION OF THE TRADE UNION

Member categories

Our Trade union proposes three categories of membership

• The active membership category is open to producers of aromatic raw materials in France:

They profit from the following rights and services:

- Recipients of the Prodarom circulars
- SVP Service
- Participation in the commissions
- Participation in the meetings of the union
- Participation in the assemblies
- Right to vote at the union meetings and assemblies

• The partners’ category membership is open to the aromatic raw material producers basing their company’s headquarter in France but having no industrial activity on French territory.

The membership of this category is optional

Members profit from the following rights and services:
- Recipients of the Prodarom circulars:
- SVP Service
- Participation in the commissions
- Participation in an advisory capacity in the meetings of the union
- Participation in the assemblies (without the right to vote)

• The associate membership category is opened to other companies eager to belong to the trade union but having no production activity of aromatic raw materials in France.

In addition, any company wishing to join our trade union will be classified to this category for the first year, disregard his activity.

They profit from the following rights and services:
- Recipients of the Prodarom circulars
- SVP Service
- Participation in the assemblies (without right to vote).

The operation of the trade union:

The trade union is managed by the Board of Directors including at least 9 members elected for 2 years by the General Assembly.
The Board of Directors meets at least 4 times per year alternately at Paris and at Grasse.
The Board of Directors sets the strategic directions of the union. The management of daily issues is ensured by the President, the two Vice Presidents and the Treasurer.
The General Assembly of the members is held at least once per year alternately in Paris or in Grasse. During the annual assembly, the Board of Directors presents the progress report of the past year and the members share their opinion about the accounts of the Trade union and about the possible resolutions suggested to be voted on…
These committees bring together the members who wish to join them:

• CES: Committee of Social Studies, in charge of the harmonization of the social treatment of the employees of this industry.
• COTARP: Technical committee of Application of the Regulation of Perfumery, whose main role is to encourage companies to take a standpoint concerning perfumery regulations.
• CST: Scientific and Technical Committee, which unites analysis specialists, in charge of devising analytical methods for this industry. It plays a big role in the activity of French standardization (AFNOR) and international standardization (ISO) of essential oils.

  The team:

- Han Paul BODIFEE, President of the Trade union.
- Jean François GOURSOT, Chief Technical Officer: your contact on technical and law issues.
- Olivia MAUBERT, Administrative and Financial Manager: Your contact on social and financial issues.
- Ghyslaine HUGON, Administrative Assistant of the Trade union.
- Christine PILLOT, Financial Assistant.