LATEST NEWS & MEDIA

30 Oct 2009 - EMEA submission

The EMEA (European Medicines Agency) committee on herbal medicinal products called for scientific data to create a Monograph for tea tree oil as a Herbal Medicine in August 2009 More »»

19 Jun 2009 - New ATTIA website

Welcome to our new website. If you are a regular visitor you will notice quite a few changes - this will be progressive as the site is developed over the next few weeks. More »»

16 Apr 2007 - Safety dossier submitted

The industry response on the SCCP Opinion on the Safety of Tea Tree Oil which was published in November 2004 has now been filed with Brussels. The industry is yet to be advised who will be the rapporteur. Additional data is to be filed from an as yet incomplete ROAT study More »»

21 Feb 2007 - ATTIA refutes gynecomastia link

ATTIA calls for the Journal of New England Medicine to publish a retraction re the recent article: Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oil. More »»

Storage, Packaging & Transport

When tea tree oil is stored or transported ATTIA members take care to ensure that the quality of the oil is not compromised. Producers store the distilled bulk 100% pure Australian tea tree oil under optimal conditions to ensure that there is no degradation of the product prior to packaging for sale. Our research has shown that stainless steel is the best material for containers during storage and transport of tea tree oil. The quality and shelf life of tea tree oil is further enhanced by:

Storage in cool areas in sealed containers and
Inert gas (nitrogen or argon) capping, to prevent oxidation when tea tree oil is stored for longer periods.

For short-term storage of bulk tea tree oil prior to bottling or processing, quality can be maintained with 'just in time' packaging such as dark glass or fluorinated HDPE 20 or 25 litre kegs.

As part of its responsibility to consumers, the Australian tea tree industry adheres to stringent legal requirements that ensure the quality and safety of its products. For storage and transport in Australia, pure Australian tea tree oil is classified as hazardous goods (Class 3 Flammable Liquid, Hazchem 3(Y), UN number 2319, Terpene Hydrocarbons (N.O.S) and has a flash point of 57 to 60 OC.) A commitment to quality and safety during all phases of the production and marketing of tea tree oil products includes adhering to responsible conditions and procedures during transport. The Australian tea tree industry fully supports these guidelines and regulations. Please note that these regulations do not always apply to tea tree oil produced and bottled overseas.

When pure Australian tea tree oil is bottled for sale to the public, any quantity greater than 15ml in volume should be bottled in ribbed dark glass bottles and fixed with a child-proof safety cap. Tea tree oil sold in clear glass or plastic bottles of greater than 15ml volume is not 100% tea tree oil. Pure tea tree oil should only be stored in clear glass containers for very limited periods of time, as over-exposure to light will degrade its quality.

For posting tea tree oil overseas by air, IATA (air transport) regulations state that you can post up to 5 litres of a class3 flammable material (which is what tea tree oil is). For posting, we suggest using several 50ml tamper-proof top, dark glass bottles. The package must be lined with plastic (bubble wrap & a 'glad' bag or equivalent) inside a sturdy envelope or carton. You MUST, by law, declare the contents of the package per the label attached. Australia Post may refuse to carry the oil, in which case try using a good international parcel courier.