Legislative requirements of the fragrance industry

Question 1

What does RIFM do?

Answer 1

RIFM ( Research institute of fragrance material)

• evaluates the safety and maintains the technical database of fragrance ingredients, incorporating human-health effects, environmental fate and product regulations.
• Safeguard consumer’s health by evaluating the safety of fragrance material.

Question 2

REXPAN (RIFM expert panel)

Answer 2

• A non profit, independent body ,
• All of RIFM’s scientific findings are evaluated by REXPAN.
• It compromises an international group of dermatologists, toxicologists, pathologists, and environmental scientists with no ties to the industry.

Question 3

Fragrance ingredients with no adequate in-use experience should

Answer 3

• be used after safety evaluations are carried out

- conform to the other requirements of chemical legislation in countries which they are to be used

Question 4

When is actual testing not necessary?

Answer 4

Actual testing may not be necessary if it can be referenced from

• literature
• structure activity relationship
• data required for conformity to chemicals or health and safety at work legislation

Question 5

Further safety evaluations to find out the effect on skin

Answer 5

acute toxicity
skin irritation
skin contact sensitisation
phototoxicity and photosensitisation

system toxicity considerations:

• quantities used
• probability of bodily penetration

Question 6

What does IRFA do?

Answer 6

• IRFA promotes advocacy through developing, communication and implementing a code of practise ( CoP)
• IFRA represents the industry to issue communicate, implement and update COP

Question 7

Code of Practice

Answer 7

• A prerequisite for members of IRFA to comply with.
• It contains all of IRFA standards of good operating practices and product safety
• Applicable to the manufacture and handling of all fragrances material for all types of applications

Question 8

Process to adhere before launching a fragrance

What is the standard approach to a new Fragrance material

Answer 8

1. Fragrance company will raise a request to IFRA and provide all relevant data on exposure, chemical composition, olfactory profile, and importance, etc and IFRA will receive and pass request to RIFM.
2. RIFM prepares a comprehensive dossier on the material including all available safety data
3. RIFM initiates testing for missing safety studies on the fragrance ingredients
4. REXPAN of RIFM evaluates data to ensure minimal health risks
5. REXPAN make recommendations and instructs IRFA to issue standard
6. IFRA prepares draft standard as advised by REXPAN
7. The draft standard is consulted with the stakeholders ( consultation phrase)
8. This ensures IFRA and RIFM are aware of all data on the material and helps to provide additional data that might alter the outcome.
9. The final standard is published with content advised by REXPAN
10. All members to follow code of practice