Updates to the RIFM Criteria Document for fragrance ingredient evaluation

Area of Science:

• Fragrance toxicology
• Chemical safety assessment
• New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

Background:

• The safety of over 3,000 fragrance materials is evaluated using two Criteria Documents (2015, 2022).
• These documents establish a stepwise, endpoint-specific approach to toxicological assessment.
• Current evaluations consider thresholds of toxicological concern (TTCs) and utilize NAMs where applicable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the current fragrance material safety evaluation process.
• To acknowledge the dynamic nature of toxicological science and its impact on safety assessments.
• To highlight ongoing scientific advancements and their integration into RIFM's internal processes.

Main Methods:

• Review of RIFM's Criteria Documents (2015, 2022) for fragrance ingredients and Natural Complex Substances (NCS).
• Analysis of RIFM's internal safety assessment processes incorporating recent scientific updates.
• Examination of toxicological assessment strategies, including TTCs and NAMs.

Main Results:

• The safety evaluation framework is consistent across toxicological endpoints but includes variations.
• Updates and scientific advances from RIFM manuscripts have been integrated into internal safety assessment processes.
• The current process reflects the dynamic evolution of toxicological science.

Conclusions:

• RIFM's safety evaluation process is comprehensive and adaptable to scientific advancements.
• Continuous refinement of toxicological endpoints and methodologies is integral to the process.
• The described approach ensures the ongoing safety of fragrance materials through rigorous scientific evaluation.