Symrise (Holzminden, Germany) recently joined the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA), and is the first company in the fragrance and flavor industry to join the group.
The EPAA is a collaboration between the European Commission, European trade associations and companies from seven different industries. Its goal is to promote alternative testing methods through "Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs)" of animal testing.
Symrise said in a written statement on Monday, July 9, that it uses alternative testing methods wherever possible and that its goal is to reduce the number of animals used for testing purposes to the absolute minimum and completely end the practice at some point.
“We now have a direct information exchange on new developments in alternative testing with the members of the EPAA and can participate at an earlier stage," said Claus Oliver Schmidt, corporate vice president quality and regulatory affairs Symrise. "This ensures greater regulatory acceptance while enhancing safety for both customers and consumers.”
Symrise already performs advanced analyses with the aid of alternative testing methods. This includes the Ceetox method for skin sensitization and the Gentronix Green and Blue Screen analyses. In addition, Symrise jointly developed the CuTech model for skin sensitization through a collaboration with CuTech.
