French growers have to endure a lot of strange restrictions - they can't use seeds with neonicotinoids on them, for example, because of a manufactured controversy about colony collapse disorder, but they can spray neonics on the plants themselves, which is actually worse for the environment. They can't use GMOs but they can use products created using mutagenesis, even though it is far less rigorous and precise.

Now the European Commission has gone too far; they are putting warning labels on products made with lavender oil, which reportedly can cause allergic reactions for some people. According to an article in Chemical&Engineering News, the French are getting ready to fight anti-science regulations for the first time this century.

Alex Scott writes that at least one lavender producer has notified the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that the essential oils from the plant can cause allergic reactions. These oils have been valued widely, however, since ancient times for their fragrance and are now in an amazing array of consumer products from soap to honey. The oils also are also used as a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.

ECHA has responded to the allergy concern by saying it will classify the oils as a "skin sensitizer." Officially categorized as such, the European Union will have to require warning labels on associated products starting in 2018.

In response, an industry group representing 1,500 growers of fragrant and medicinal plants in France launched a campaign this summer to fight the labeling requirements. Some have said if the guidelines go into effect, they would rather switch to growing a different plant than put a warning label on their lavender-oil products.

So far, regulators are not blinking. They expect to conclude the verbiage of the warning labels by next year but the science discussion is already over.