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The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) will present new research at the SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting, taking place May 17–21, 2026, in Maastricht, The Netherlands, highlighting scientific approaches designed to strengthen environmental safety assessment and prioritization of fragrance materials used across consumer products.

The presentations from RIFM scientists Aurelia Lapczynski, Manager, Environmental Science & Strategy; Samantha Crotty, Associate Scientist, Environmental Toxicology; and Marissa Guttenberg, PhD, Senior Associate Scientist, Human Health & Environmental Science, focus on practical, science-driven tools that support more efficient environmental risk assessment, data interpretation, and regulatory readiness for fragrance materials — work directly relevant to RIFM member companies navigating increasingly complex global environmental expectations.

On Monday, May 18, Lapczynski will deliver a platform presentation titled “Aquatic Risk of Fragrance Materials: Advancing Prioritization in Aquatic Systems” as part of the session “Advancing the Environmental Risk Assessment and Management of Cosmetics, Sunscreens and Personal Care Products.” She will also present the poster “Towards the development of fragrance-specific ecological Threshold of Toxicological Concern (ecoTTC)” alongside co-author toxicologist Scott Belanger, PhD. The research describes the development of fragrance-specific ecological TTC distributions using a curated database of 465 fragrance chemicals and more than 1,000 ecotoxicity studies.

“Developing a fragrance-specific ecoTTC framework helps create more refined and scientifically relevant tools for environmental prioritization and risk assessment,” Lapczynski explained. “For industry, approaches like ecoTTC can help support data-poor materials, improve decision-making efficiency, and better leverage high-quality existing ecotoxicity data while maintaining a protective, science-based approach.”

Also on Monday, Crotty and Dr. Guttenberg will present the poster “Exposure Driven Environmental Risk Assessment – A Case Study on Fragrance Materials.” The work highlights RIFM’s updated tiered environmental framework, which integrates exposure-based modeling, hazard assessment, regional environmental considerations, and maintenance review cycles to evaluate fragrance materials across global markets. The framework incorporates New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), historical data, and predictive models to support scientifically robust assessments while reducing reliance on animal testing.

“Exposure-driven assessment allows environmental evaluations to more accurately reflect how fragrance materials are actually used and released into the environment,” Crotty said. “This type of framework helps ensure that risk assessment remains both scientifically rigorous and practical for real-world applications.”

Dr. Guttenberg added, “A key strength of the framework is its ability to evolve as new science becomes available. Continual maintenance and updating of assessments help ensure that environmental conclusions remain current, transparent, and aligned with the latest scientific understanding.”

On Wednesday, May 20, Lapczynski will also present the poster “The impact of Standards in Mobility testing – a case of fragrance materials.”

Together, the presentations reflect RIFM’s continued investment in advancing modern environmental science methodologies that support the safe and sustainable use of fragrance materials worldwide. The scientists will also be available at Booth 72 during SETAC exhibition hours, where attendees can meet with Lapczynski, Crotty, and Dr. Guttenberg to learn more about the Institute’s ongoing efforts supporting environmental safety.

SETAC Europe is one of the leading international scientific meetings focused on environmental toxicology, chemistry, exposure science, and risk assessment, bringing together scientists, regulators, and industry experts from around the world.