Global campaign · Save Tea Tree

Tea Tree Oil products
are at risk of being taken away.

Not because they have been shown to be unsafe in everyday use, but
because of how Tea Tree Oil is being assessed.

This decision will affect millions of consumers, small businesses and access to
natural products around the world.

The Real Issue

Judging Safety, Not Extremes

Tea Tree Oil is currently being considered for a severe classification in the European Union — based on laboratory studies that don't reflect how people use it in everyday life.

These studies involved force-feeding animals extreme amounts of the oil directly into the stomach, daily, for weeks or months at a time — conditions that bear no resemblance to how any person actually encounters Tea Tree Oil products.

Many scientists believe that at those extreme levels, the studies tell us more about the effects of extreme exposure than they do about Tea Tree Oil itself.

This is a world away from applying a face wash, treating a skin irritation, or adding a few drops to a diffuser.

If this classification goes ahead, Tea Tree Oil will be restricted or removed from a wide range of products.

And decisions made in the EU have a way of reaching far beyond Europe.

Laboratory conditions vs. everyday use — two very different worlds

Real People. Real Consequences

How safety is assessed
matters.

A decision this serious deserves the best possible science.

Tea Tree Oil has a long history of safe use. Millions of people rely on it. The industry behind
it supports farmers, small businesses, and communities around the world.

Because the stakes are so high, the evidence used to make this decision must be as clear
and complete as possible.

Where genuine scientific questions remain, those questions should be answered before
decisions are finalised.

That is not a criticism of the process. It is what good science requires.

A simple example

Water is essential for life.

But drinking too much too quickly can be dangerous.

We do not ban water because of that. Safety depends on how something is used.

Hazard does not always reflect real-world risk.

What's Happening

More people rely on Tea Tree Oil than you might think.

Personal Care & Skin

Acne, wounds, fungal concerns, intimate care, shampoos and body care — trusted in everyday personal care in more ways than most people realise.

Home & Household

Cleaning, laundry, deodorising — a natural alternative to synthetic chemical products used in homes every day.

Health & Wellness

Used in hand washes, soaps, diffusers and everyday routines — valued for its natural antimicrobial properties.

Small Businesses

The candle maker, the skincare brand, the essential oil supplier, the farmer — businesses and growers whose livelihoods depend on continued access.

Real stories

Real people. Real
consequences.

For many people, Tea Tree Oil is not optional. It is part of how they manage everyday
health and wellbeing.

What is at stake

Simple, far-reaching consequences.

If this classification proceeds, the consequences may extend well beyond Tea Tree Oil.

Tea Tree Oil contains more than 100 naturally occurring components. Because the EU has not identified which specific component — or combination of components — caused the effects observed in the studies, other essential oils with overlapping natural chemistry could become vulnerable to the same reasoning, including lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and citrus oils.

01. Products people rely on may no longer
be available

03. Consumers will lose choice in everyday
products

02. Natural options are likely to be replaced with synthetic alternatives

04. The small businesses and producers behind natural products may not survive

This classification doesn't just threaten Tea Tree Oil — it creates a regulatory blueprint that puts every essential oil with overlapping natural chemistry at risk.

What is being done

Work is already underway.

To help ensure decisions reflect real-world use, robust science and proportionate regulation, action is happening on multiple fronts:

01. Addressing the science

02. Engaging with EU regulatory authorities

03. Building support across industry and governments worldwide

04. Pursuing appropriate legal and policy pathways

This work takes time, resources and broad support to succeed. That's why we need your help.

Why this matters now

These decisions are being made now.

Once finalised, they can shape product availability, regulation and consumer access for years to come — reaching far beyond Europe.

Why your help matters

Used by millions. Made by a few.

Tea Tree Oil is used by millions of people around the world. But the industry behind it is small — only a limited number of producers and farmers, without the resources of large multinational companies.

This is why broader public support matters.

Adding your name helps show that this issue extends beyond industry — to the people who rely on these products every day. And if you're able to contribute financially, your donation helps support the work needed to protect Tea Tree Oil and other natural products that may be affected.

Add your name

Help protect access to
Tea Tree Oil.

If you believe decisions should reflect real-world use, robust science and
proportionate regulation, now is the time to act. Join the campaign to protect
access to Tea Tree Oil and stay informed about how you can help, including
contributing financially if you choose.

Support the campaign financially

This campaign requires an estimated €850,000 to fund the scientific, legal and advocacy work needed to protect Tea Tree Oil — and help prevent the same approach from placing other essential oils and natural products at risk.

Every contribution, large or small, helps make this work possible.

Frequently asked

Questions, answered.

Start with the basics. For deeper scientific and regulatory context, expand the technical layer below.

Basics

01. What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree Oil is a natural ingredient derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, native to Australia.

It has been used for decades in everyday products such as skin care, personal hygiene, and first aid formulations.

02. How is Tea Tree Oil typically used?

Tea Tree Oil is most commonly used in topical products applied to the skin, as well as in personal care and hygiene products.

It is not typically consumed and is used in controlled amounts as part of formulated products.

What is happening

03. What is happening to Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree Oil is currently being considered for classification in the European Union based on laboratory studies that do not reflect how it is used in everyday products.

If this classification goes ahead, it could significantly restrict how Tea Tree Oil can be used and may lead to its removal from a wide range of products.

04. Where is this happening and why does it matter?

This process is taking place in the European Union.

Decisions made in the EU often influence regulations in other countries, which means the impact could extend globally.

Safety and science

05. Is Tea Tree Oil safe to use?

Tea Tree Oil has a long history of use in everyday products when used as intended.

Like many ingredients, safety depends on how it is used, including the amount and the way it is applied.

06. Why is Tea Tree Oil being assessed this way?

The current assessment is based on laboratory studies that explore what can happen under specific conditions.

These conditions are different from how people use Tea Tree Oil in real life.

07. What is the difference between hazard and real-world risk?

A hazard looks at whether something can cause harm under certain conditions.

Real-world risk considers whether harm is likely to occur when something is used as intended.

This distinction is important because it affects how products are assessed and whether they remain available.

08. Does classification mean a product is unsafe?

No. Classification reflects how a substance behaves under specific test conditions.

It does not necessarily reflect how a product is used in everyday life.

Impact

09. What could happen if this classification goes ahead?

Tea Tree Oil could be restricted or removed from a wide range of products.

This could reduce consumer choice and affect people who rely on these products as part of their everyday routines.

10. How could this affect businesses and producers?

Many small businesses and producers rely on Tea Tree Oil.

Changes to its availability could impact livelihoods, supply chains, and the broader natural products industry.