There are many products on the market that claim to be cypress essential oils. But the authenticity of the ingredients has always been a question for many consumers; it is also one of the pain points in Taiwan's development of its essential oil industry. In recent years, the Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan has been actively developing the sustainable use value of Taiwan’s forests. Essential oils of forest plants particular to Taiwan are one of the forest products other than wood that the Bureau has given prioritized. Production standards, quality testing, and verification of essential oils are the highest priority elements for the development of the local essential oil industry. For that purpose, the Forestry Bureau and National Chung Hsing University jointly established the "Domestic Essential Oil Inspection Center", unveiled today (26), which will officially serve the domestic industry, forestry co-ops, and forest owners. The quality of essential oils from Taiwan's forest plants are inspected through credible third-party testing by the national standard CNS process. This relieves suspicions of adulteration or false labeling of essential oils, thus raising the trust and willingness of the people with respect to local natural essential oils. Another result of the inspection is a increased green production value of Taiwan's forestry industry. Improving utilization of timber and turning the “scrap” into green gold The Forest Bureau stated that when the Forest District Offices used to carry out logging operations, they would take the main trunk and stack the leftover branches and leaves on the site to let them decompose naturally, in consideration of the low use value and high transportation cost. In the past, lumber manufacturers had to pay environmental operators to removal of scraps and leftovers from the lumber manufacturing process, which was a considerable cost to the industry. In fact, even twigs, leaves, debris, and other leftovers should be actively considered for recycling to create more diverse values. Extracting essential oils can not only prevent the need to stack or clear the leftovers, it also brings new benefits to forest owners and gives consumers more choices for local forest aromatherapy materials - a great solutions where many of the stakeholders benefit. That is why the Forestry Bureau commissioned National Chung Hsing University to implement the "Establishment of the Industrialized System for Native Forest Plant Essential Oils" project in 2020 and establish fingerprints of essential oil components for 9 species of afforestation trees commonly used in plantations in Taiwan; in order to reduce the cost of transportation and comply with the provisions of the Forestry Act, "mobile essential oil extraction equipment" was developed. At the same time, Forest District Offices and forestry co-ops are encouraged to use the remaining branches, leaves, debris, and other leftovers from forest thinning to invest in the production of essential oils, and to work with the industry to develop high-quality forest-derived products such as household cleaning, bathing, and aromatherapy products. Some examples are "Chuyun Shan Osmanthus" from Dongshih Forest District Office and "Decoded Cedar" from the Taitung Forest District Office, both resulting in good market reputation and response. National testing standards inspection to reestablish order in the essential oil market David sheng-Yang Wang, dean of Chung Hsing University’s Academy of Circular Economy, who has long been involved in essential oil research and cooperated with the Forestry Bureau on this project, pointed out that Taiwan’s essential oil market is booming. However, that does not mean there are not issues, such as counterfeiting, adulteration, false labeling, and insufficient quality - adulteration and false labeling especially cause consumers to lose confidence in essential oils. Therefore, the Forestry Bureau cooperated with Chung Hsing University to set up the "Domestic Essential Oil Inspection Center" in hopes of re-establishing the order of the local essential oil market and improving the industrial system, while creating more possibilities for forestry and sharing the goods of the forest with the whole population. Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the Forestry Bureau, explained that under Taiwan's new forestry industry concept, timber production is no longer the sole goal of forestry. Rather, using forest resources to find more diversified industrial development for the economic development of forest owners and mountain villages, while satisfying the premise of sustainability have been the focus of the Forestry Bureau's consideration and efforts in recent years. The "Domestic Essential Oil Inspection Center", established in cooperation with Chung Hsing University, will open up new industrial opportunities for Taiwan's essential oil industry. In addition to researching the activity of essential oils, it will also gradually establish inspection standards for domestically produced essential oils. The Chung Hsing University team will be invited to establish fingerprints of more than 100 species of Taiwanese forest plant essential oil components and to establish quality standards for local forest essential oils. Their efforts will help to make Taiwanese essential oils an international “boutique” brand. Industry-government-academia cooperation, creating a new blueprint for forestry Shieu Fuh-Sheng, president of National Chung Hsing University, said with high expectations that teaching, research and service have always been the requirements of the teachers and students of Chung Hsing University. It is the University's own expectation to cultivate outstanding talents and contribute to society. He added that he is very happy and grateful that the Forestry Bureau can cooperate with Chung Hsing University to jointly establish a domestic essential oil inspection center. Taiwan’s essential oil industry has created an output value of more than one billion NTD each year, and the establishment of the center will certainly help the essential oil industry to build greater business opportunities. The Forestry Bureau stated that it will support and require the "Domestic Essential Oil Inspection Center" to prepare documents and materials, and apply to the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF) for certification of essential oil inspection laboratories. Collected or analyzed data will be used to establish the standard specifications for domestic forest plant essential oils, and will further help promote the essential oil verification label. This will improve the trust and willingness of domestic consumers to buy local natural essential oils.
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