News + Events

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

As we begin 2026, I’m delighted to share an early look at what promises to be a milestone year for the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM). Since 1966, our mission has remained constant: advancing the independent science that ensures the safe use of fragrance ingredients worldwide. This anniversary year allows us to reflect on six decades of progress, and to highlight what’s ahead.

What to Expect in RIFM’s 60th Anniversary Year

A Special Issue of Food & Chemical Toxicology
A dedicated anniversary issue will update RIFM’s Criteria Document and highlight key scientific advances showcasing the evolution and rigor of fragrance safety science over the last 60 years.

60th Annual Meeting – November 5, 2026
We’re excited to bring our community together at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ, a venue that perfectly embodies the innovation central to RIFM’s work. Registration details and the full agenda will be shared soon.

60th Anniversary Science Symposium – 2026
As part of our 60th Anniversary year, RIFM will host a special science symposium highlighting the latest findings shaping today’s fragrance safety decisions and the emerging research that will guide the future of safe use. Additional details will be shared as plans develop.

New in 2026: SAFER Educational Track

As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and global support for the safe use of fragrance ingredients, RIFM is developing SAFER (Safety Assessment of Fragrance Exposure and Risk), a certified educational track. SAFER will provide a comprehensive look at RIFM’s safety assessment process for both discrete (lab-created) ingredients and natural complex substances (NCS), offering deeper insight into the methodologies behind our independent evaluations.

RIFM’s Growing Library of Published Safety Assessments

By the end of 2025, RIFM expects to have published safety assessments for more than 2,500 fragrance ingredients, all reviewed by our independent Expert Panel before peer-reviewed publication in the scientific literature. These assessments continue to provide the basis for the IFRA Standards and strengthen global trust in fragrance safety.

Stories, Webinars, and a Look Back at 60 Years of Impact

Throughout the year, you’ll see feature stories, anniversary programming, and special webinars covering:

• Highlights of RIFM’s six-decade scientific journey, showcasing our most influential research to date, alongside the latest studies shaping both today’s fragrance safety practices and the future of the field

• Deeper dives into current research, including ongoing advances in Structure Activity Groups (SAGs), the backbone of how RIFM organizes, prioritizes, and evaluates fragrance materials, and new resources clarifying Hazard vs. Risk, helping stakeholders, journalists, and the public better understand how real-world exposure informs safety decisions

• A deeper look at the RIFM Database and how it informs modern safety assessment, and some critical tools and upcoming data curation to support Member Companies

As we celebrate this major anniversary, our focus remains unchanged: providing transparent, robust, and independent science that protects consumers, supports industry, and strengthens global confidence in the safe use of fragrance ingredients.

Thank you for being part of the RIFM community. I look forward to celebrating and advancing our shared mission together throughout 2026.

Warm regards,

Anne Marie Api, PhD, Fellow ATS
President, Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM)