06.30.10
The IFRA (International Fragrance Association) has released a statement refuting claims by US-based activist organization the Cancer Prevention Coalition that suggests links between fragrance ingredients and health problems. The coalition also makes what IFRA believe to be inaccurate statements regarding the fragrance industry's global IFRA Safety Program, designed and implemented to ensure the safe enjoyment of fragrances.
"This is the third activist report in recent weeks to attempt to smear the fragrance industry with what we believe to be unfounded claims about the safety of fragrance ingredients and we find this unacceptable," says Jean-Pierre Houri, president of the IFRA.
IFRA set up a global safety program in 1973. This program involves the industry assessing the safety of materials and either banning them or setting so-called "Safe Use Levels" based on the review of studies of their potential effects on people and the environment. It is a voluntary program–and a strict one. IFRA regulates more materials than any regulatory or governmental body in the world. The scientific program led by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) has been active since 1966.
If the established processes identify a material that could be of concern it is reviewed by an independent Expert Panel. For most of the materials, the safety review is showing no concern and therefore no risk management measurement becomes necessary–thus the number of materials on which IFRA has set restrictions is much lower than those in use.
IFRA refutes what they perceive to be scaremongering claims made in the press release, and believe they undermine the well established and worldwide respected IFRA Safety Program and the scientific research done by RIFM.
For a full statement on the press release, go to http://www.ifraorg.org.
"This is the third activist report in recent weeks to attempt to smear the fragrance industry with what we believe to be unfounded claims about the safety of fragrance ingredients and we find this unacceptable," says Jean-Pierre Houri, president of the IFRA.
IFRA set up a global safety program in 1973. This program involves the industry assessing the safety of materials and either banning them or setting so-called "Safe Use Levels" based on the review of studies of their potential effects on people and the environment. It is a voluntary program–and a strict one. IFRA regulates more materials than any regulatory or governmental body in the world. The scientific program led by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) has been active since 1966.
If the established processes identify a material that could be of concern it is reviewed by an independent Expert Panel. For most of the materials, the safety review is showing no concern and therefore no risk management measurement becomes necessary–thus the number of materials on which IFRA has set restrictions is much lower than those in use.
IFRA refutes what they perceive to be scaremongering claims made in the press release, and believe they undermine the well established and worldwide respected IFRA Safety Program and the scientific research done by RIFM.
For a full statement on the press release, go to http://www.ifraorg.org.