One of the most important regulatory bodies in the complex world of fragrances is The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM). It is founded in 1966 and represents an important point of reference in the sector together with the International Fragrance Association (IFRA).

Task of RIFM

The tasks of the organization are to elaborate and distribute scientific data on the different raw materials that make up fragrances, a task that has made RIFM one of the main actors for the IDEA project, International Dialogue on Allergen Evaluation, launched in 2013.

RIFM owns the most up-to-date database, on a worldwide scale, regarding the chemical-physical, toxicological and eco-toxicological data on the different world raw materials fragrance and flavourings.

The group of expert

These indications are then left in the hands of a pool of experts which composes an external evaluation panel, where the most diverse medical figures from dermatologists to toxicology experts, from respiratory specialists to doctors dedicated to reproductive system symptomatology find their place. The opinion of this group of experts is the basis of some important restrictions on the use of some raw materials in the organ of perfumers, restrictions appropriately reported also in the IFRA standards.

Environment attention

In addition to the part linked to health risks, RIFM has also a program to respect the environment, where RIFM works together with academic institutions and important international organizations such as the European Center for Ecotoxicology and SETAC, Chemistry Society and Environmental Toxicology, to conduct in-depth studies on the effects of fragrances in the cornerstones of the earth system: sea, soil and air. This strong push of RIFM in this direction and the adoption of a specific program is fully compliant with the need to have ‘green’ fragrances with an impact on the environment at the minimum terms and which do not cause problems of allergies or of bio-accumulation between consumers.