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The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) will present three scientific posters at the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) Congress 2026, taking place June 24–27 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The research addresses key challenges in skin sensitization assessment, including the development of non-animal testing approaches, the use of human data to confirm safe exposure levels, and the refinement of methods used in quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for fragrance ingredients.

Together, the presentations demonstrate how RIFM is advancing the science that underpins fragrance safety evaluations worldwide. The studies explore how historical human and animal data can inform modern safety assessment frameworks and how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) can support risk assessment without requiring new animal studies.

Advancing Confidence in Confirmatory Human Testing

On June 25, Isabelle Lee, PhD, Manager, Human Health Science & Strategy at RIFM, will present Confirmatory Human Patch Testing of Fragrance Materials: A Five-Year Update Following Adoption of a 48-Hour Challenge (Poster P-041).

The poster provides a five-year update on RIFM’s Confirmation of No Induction in Humans (CNIH) program, a confirmatory human patch testing approach used to verify that fragrance materials do not induce skin sensitization at conservatively selected exposure levels. The analysis includes 63 studies involving 6,657 volunteers and evaluates outcomes following adoption of a 48-hour challenge protocol designed to better align with clinical patch testing practices.

The findings support the continued use of confirmatory human testing as an important component of fragrance safety assessment and risk management.

“What’s exciting about this work is that it allows us to evaluate how a meaningful update to our testing protocol has performed across thousands of volunteer participants over the past five years,” said Dr. Lee. “The results reinforce the strength of the CNIH program and provide additional confidence that we’re continuing to identify exposure levels that protect consumers while maintaining a scientifically rigorous approach to fragrance safety.”

Evaluating NAM-Based Prediction of Skin Sensitization Potency

Isabella Schember, PhD, Scientist, Dermatotoxicology at RIFM, will present Assessing the Performance of the SARA-ICE Defined Approach in Fragrance Ingredient Point of Departure Prediction (Poster P-124).

The study evaluates SARA-ICE, a defined approach that integrates data from multiple in vitro assays to predict points of departure (PoDs) for quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitization. The results demonstrate strong agreement between SARA-ICE predictions and established reference values across a diverse dataset of fragrance ingredients.

The findings support the use of integrated NAM data to generate risk-assessment-ready potency estimates and demonstrate the growing capability of non-animal approaches to support fragrance safety decisions.

“We’re seeing tremendous progress in the ability of New Approach Methodologies to provide information that can be used directly in risk assessment,” said Dr. Schember. “I’m excited to share these results at ESCD because they show how integrated in vitro data can be used to predict points of departure in a way that is both scientifically robust and protective of consumer safety.”

Strengthening the Link Between Historical Potency Data and Human Outcomes

Marissa Guttenberg, PhD, Senior Associate Scientist, Human Health & Environmental Science at RIFM, will present A Retrospective Study on the Use of Historical Local Lymph Node Assay EC3 Values to Derive Doses for the Confirmation of No Induction in Humans Test (Poster P-121).

This research examines the relationship between historical Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) potency values and human-derived No Expected Sensitization Induction Levels (NESILs). NESILs are a critical component of quantitative risk assessment for fragrance ingredients because they help establish safe exposure levels for consumers.

By confirming a strong correlation between LLNA EC3 values and human outcomes, the study provides important scientific context for validating modern NAM-based approaches while leveraging decades of existing safety data.

“As the scientific community continues to advance non-animal approaches, it’s important that we understand how new methods relate to the data and frameworks that have supported safety assessments for decades,” said Dr. Guttenberg. “This research helps strengthen that bridge by showing a clear relationship between historical potency data and human outcomes, which is valuable for building confidence in future methodologies.”

About RIFM’s Research at ESCD 2026

RIFM’s presentations at ESCD 2026 highlight the Institute’s ongoing efforts to advance fragrance safety science through human-relevant research, robust quantitative risk assessment methodologies, and the evaluation of New Approach Methodologies. Collectively, these studies support the development of scientifically grounded approaches for assessing skin sensitization risk and establishing safe use levels for fragrance ingredients.

Researchers, dermatologists, toxicologists, and risk assessors attending ESCD 2026 can visit the poster area in the foyer on June 25 to learn more about RIFM’s latest research and its contributions to advancing fragrance safety science.