Symposium stimulates debate

Attendance was by invitation only and guests included IFRA United Kingdom members, stakeholders including senior personnel from other trade associations, perfumers and academics. Guest speakers included Hugo Bovill of Earthoil-Treatt, Dr Charles Sell of Givaudan and the world-famous perfumer Christophe Laudamiel all of whom debated ‘natural and synthetic fragrance ingredients’; Matthias Vey and Stephen Weller both from IFRA (global) discussed safety and the role of IFRA; and Professor Tim Jacob of the University of Cardiff, Dr Jan Havlíãek of Charles University, Prague and Lizzie Ostrom of Scratch + Sniff discussed ‘the benefits of fragrance in our lives’. The three Fragrance Forum sessions were chaired by Tony Dallimore of Phoenix Fragrances, chairman of IFRA UK; Lisa Hipgrave, director of IFRA UK; and Neil Weaver of Seven Scent, IFRA UK’s vice chairman. Speaking before the event, Lisa Hipgrave said: “We were keen to mark the occasion of our change of name from the British Fragrance Association to IFRA United Kingdom at the start of this year. By staging this one day symposium together with our AGM this important milestone in the Association’s development is being marked by what promises to be a stimulating, informative, controversial and entertaining day.” One of the speakers, Matthias Vey, described the roles of IFRA – the International Fragrance Association and RIFM – the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials in ensuring, on a global basis, the safe use and enjoyment of all types of fragranced consumer products. He examined the process of how IFRA Standards are developed. Other speakers examined the power of scent in our lives, the relationship between body odour and fragrance, the development and use of fragrance molecules – both natural and synthetic – and sustainability in fragrance ingredient sourcing.