IFF has agreed to pay the European Commission a €15.9 million fine to settle a charge relating to the destruction of evidence during the Commission’s investigation of suspected anti-competitive conduct in the supply of fragrance and fragrance ingredients.  

In a statement released by the Commission, a senior employee of IFF deliberately deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged with a competitor during an inspection.

In March 2023, the Commission carried out unannounced inspections at Firmenich, Givaudan, Symrise and IFF.

According to IFF, when the investigation began in March 2023, a now-former scent employee deleted messages relevant to the investigation from their mobile phone, contrary to the explicit instructions of IFF’s Legal Department and the Commission.  IFF stated it quickly helped the Commission recover the deleted messages.

In a press release, IFF stated: “This former employee’s actions—which violated IFF policy and legal guidance—are not tolerated. We stand firm in our commitment to ethical conduct and adherence to the law.”

This settlement does not represent a conclusion to the antitrust investigation, which is ongoing.

IFF added, “We are working closely with relevant authorities and cooperating with their industry investigation.”