The IFRA/RIFM Standards Setting Process

The IFRA Standards form the basis for the globally accepted and recognized risk management system for the safe use of fragrance ingredients and are part of the product risk management process as shown in the picture above, summarizing the self-regulating system of the industry, based on risk assessments carried out by an independent expert panel (REXPAN). 
 
The Standards are established according to the following process:

1.  IFRA provides information on the exposure situation (usage concentration, variety of use, volume of use), chemical composition as well as the olfactory profile and olfactory potential (importance) of a fragrance ingredient to RIFM;

2. RIFM prepares a comprehensive dossier on the material including all available safety data and, if necessary, initiates and organizes any missing safety studies on the fragrance ingredient;

3.  REXPAN, the RIFM Panel of independent experts, evaluates the data to see if it supports the current use level, to make sure that there is no risk/danger for the consumer; if the safety assessment does not support the current use, REXPAN instructs IFRA to issue a Standard*;

4.  IFRA prepares a Standard in accordance with the REXPAN instructions and conclusions;

5. The draft Standard is consulted with the IFRA membership and stakeholders for a period of about a month, to ensure that IFRA/RIFM are aware of all data on the material and to provide holders of additional data that might alter the outcome of the REXPAN risk assessment with the opportunity to share those with IFRA/RIFM;

6. If no additional information is received via the Consultation phase, the final Standard is published in a notification procedure as part of an “Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice”.

* The final decision on the content of the Standard is solely in the hands of REXPAN, not IFRA or RIFM.