At the third Annual Review of the IDEA (International Dialogue for the Evaluation of Allergens) Project, held under the auspices of the European Commission (DG SANTE), the industry has confirmed its commitment to alternative approaches to animal testing.
This significant step is intended to lead to the development of a new approach integrating non-animal data to assess the potency of skin sensitizers.
“I am keen to highlight one of the top priorities for the IDEA Project, the eventual integration of non-animal data in risk assessment, achieving at least the same level of confidence as with the LLNA [Local Lymph Node Assay] approach,” said Michael Carlos, chairman of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) board.
“Having the express support and expertise of the JRC (Joint Research Centre) and the scientific community will help in achieving this ambitious challenge enhancing the safety of consumers,” Carlos continued.
Since its start in 2013, the IDEA project has conducted eight workshops gathering over 40 scientific and medical experts from academia, clinics and research centers, including past and current Scientific Committee members as well as over 30 industry experts. This multi-stakeholder project said it also achieved two key milestones which were reviewed in Luxembourg:
- Firstly, the Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) for fragrance materials is enhanced with an in-depth analysis of the Skin Sensitization Safety Factors and complemented with a thorough aggregate exposure model, the stakeholder said. This QRA model, reviewed by the JRC, opens the way for authorities and industry to approach risk assessment of fragrance ingredients with a common tool, which should greatly contribute to the prevention of the induction of skin sensitization, according to the stakeholders.
- The second milestone is the advanced analytical work to better identify and understand the mechanism of pre- and pro-haptens, in the field of oxidation.
Pierre Sivac, IFRA President, stated: “It has become evident that the IDEA project model may have applications beyond fragrance skin allergies linked to the use of cosmetic products. This could support a cross sectorial approach, addressing the societal concerns of citizens who look at consumer products as a whole and safety “at home” as all inclusive,” concluded Sivac.
