Stakeholders renew commitment to IDEA project at annual meeting, recognizing huge achievements in controlling skin allergy

Brussels, 05 December 2022 – Stakeholders at the International Dialogue for the Evaluation of Allergens (IDEA) Annual Review meeting on 29 November 2022 reaffirmed their commitment to the project. Underway for nearly 10 years, IDEA seeks ways to improve consumer protection by bringing together various stakeholders including the fragrance industry, the dermatological community, and policy makers to build a new framework to assess fragrance allergens.

“This is an important project, which I am proud to have chaired since its inception”, said Jim Bridges, Chairman of the IDEA Supervisory Group. “IDEA is an established and successful multi-stakeholder initiative which helps propel the development and deployment of high-quality safety assessment tools. We need reliable risk assessments, based on a profound understanding of hazard and exposure”.

IDEA brings together the European Commission, European Parliament, Member State authorities, and other stakeholders. Meeting in Brussels, the parties agreed that it is critically important to rely on a high standard of risk assessment. Scientific risk assessment methodologies are continuously being improved to promote the safe use of fragrances.

“The significance of the dialogue is that it critically reviews current achievements and identifies opportunities for improvement. This includes the refinement of existing tools – and the development of new ones. These are all intended to enhance the quality of risk assessment, used by industry”, added Prof. Bridges.

IDEA has already been successful in developing, implementing and delivering on a long-term science-based work plan, endorsed by the European Commission. This includes the development of a refined Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA2) and the publication of a Reference Chemical Potency List (RCPL) to advance use of testing without animals. IDEA also was at the center of initiating clinical surveys across Europe.

“With the implementation of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability under discussion, we need to develop and maintain robust methodologies for risk assessment. Open dialogue between all stakeholders is essential to achieve just that and through this arrive at effective and proportionate regulation”, said Martina Bianchini, President of IFRA.

During the meeting, participants appreciated the added value of the IDEA platform and the progress already achieved. Scientific integrity, transparency and trust have been the foundation of this work. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants renewed their support and committed to making further progress on providing a robust and transparent framework for assessing fragrance allergens, including a surveillance study as an effective way of demonstrating product stewardship by the fragrance industry.

“On behalf of the fragrance industry, I am delighted we have been able to build this constructive relationship between the various engaged stakeholders including the fragrance industry, the dermatological community, Member State authorities, and policy makers. I warmly thank the European Commission for hosting the Annual Review meeting”, said Hans Holger Gliewe, Chairman of IFRA. “Fragrance plays an essential role in consumers’ daily lives. Consumers can confidently use and enjoy scented products in their everyday life, for hygiene, health or well-being purposes. I look forward to continuing this work”.