RIFM 44th Annual Meeting: Industry Realignment

Simon Medley (BASF), chairman of RIFM, addressing the 44th annual meeting.
Simon Medley (BASF), chairman of RIFM, addressing the 44th annual meeting.

 

The global restructuring of fragrance industry associations is already underway. The European Flavour & Fragrance Association has split its activities, realigning fragrance under the auspices of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). Meanwhile, the Fragrance Materials Association (FMA) has taken initial steps towards reorienting as a local affiliate of IFRA (for details, see April issue of P&F magazine). In comments presented during the annual meeting of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), chairman Simon Medley (BASF) highlighted the need for the fragrance industry’s science arm to evolve similarly. The goal of any changes to structure, said Medley, would be to improve “the quality, speed, results and efficiency of the collective decision making process.” Such changes would strengthen the industry’s position through a proactive stance on emerging issues, of which there are many. At a time when the fragrance industry is charged with the generation of increasing amounts of safety data, Medley argued that change is necessary.

Meanwhile, the organization has approved its slate of 2010 board of directors nominees: Thierry Audibert (Givaudan), Robert Bedoukian (Bedoukian Research), George Daher ( SC Johnson & Son), Achim Daub (Symrise), Rob Edelman (IFF), Isabelle Esser (Unilever), Jim Heinz (Bell Flavors & Fragrances), Peter Lombardo (Robertet), Stephen Manheimer (Kerry Ingredients & Flavors), Simon Medley (BASF), Steve Hicks (P&G), Antoine Housset (Chanel), Andrew O’Shea (drom), Richard Pisano, Sr. (Citrus & Allied Essences), David Shipman (Firmenich), Viny Srinivasan (L’Oreal), Steve Tanner (Arylessence) and Sean Traynor (Takasago).

 
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