RIFM’s scientific evaluations are globally recognized benchmarks for the safety assessment of fragrance ingredients in consumer products. Under the new assignment, SenzaGen will test a selection of substances from RIFM’s reference library using EpiSensA, a 3D tissue model-based method designed to identify substances that may cause skin sensitization. The aim is to scientifically evaluate EpiSensA’s performance for a specific chemical group.

This assignment follows SenzaGen’s launch of EpiSensA in its testing portfolio in March 2025, when the company became the first contract laboratory in the world to offer the method commercially. The agreement reflects the market’s demand for non-animal, regulatory-relevant methods and demonstrates the commercial potential of SenzaGen’s strategic expansion.

“That RIFM has chosen us to evaluate a new test method is a strong testament to the long-standing and trust-based collaboration we have built. It also confirms that our strategy to broaden our offering with new, non-animal methods is aligned with industry trends and customer needs — particularly in challenging areas such as natural extracts and complex mixtures, where our expertise meets a clear demand,” says Peter Nählstedt, CEO and President of SenzaGen.

The collaboration between RIFM and SenzaGen has evolved over several years, driven by both organizations’ commitment to advancing non-animal testing and enhancing scientific standards in fragrance safety. This new grant represents another important milestone in that joint effort.

“At RIFM, we are continuously evaluating scientifically relevant, non-animal methods to support our mission of ensuring that fragrance materials are safe for people and the environment. EpiSensA is a valuable addition, and we appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with SenzaGen on this evaluation”, says Isabelle Lee, Principal Scientist at RIFM.

EpiSensA (OECD TG 442D) assesses early skin cell responses to chemicals and complements SenzaGen’s proprietary method GARD^®skin (OECD TG 442E), which uses genomics and machine learning to analyze the later, immune-activating steps of the sensitization process. For product registration purposes, regulatory authorities often require a combination of OECD-approved tests. As such, EpiSensA is a strategic and effective addition to SenzaGen’s portfolio. The unique strength of this combination in handling difficult-to-test substances such as natural extracts and complex mixtures fulfills a significant market need and reinforces SenzaGen’s role in regulatory testing.

About RIFM
Established in 1966, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) generates, analyzes, evaluates, and distributes data to provide a scientific basis for the safe use of fragrances. RIFM has compiled the most comprehensive, worldwide source of toxicology data, literature, and general information on fragrance and flavor raw materials. RIFM’s Fragrance Ingredient Safety Assessment program draws from its comprehensive database of over 80,000 references and approximately 200,000 human health and environmental studies.

RIFM assesses the safety of fragrance ingredients by the most current, internationally accepted guidelines—and has done so since its founding. The Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety, an independent, international team of researchers and academics with no ties to the fragrance industry, reviews all of RIFM’s work before RIFM submits it for peer-reviewed publication in a reputable scientific journal. RIFM makes all of its published, peer-reviewed work—current and historical—available for free at fragrancematerialsafetyresource.elsevier.com.

Contacts

Peter Nählstedt, President and CEO, SenzaGen AB
Email: peter.nahlstedt@senzagen.com | Mobile: 0700-23 44 31

RIFM: Gary Sullivan, Marketing & Communications Manager, RIFM
Email: gsullivan@rifm.org