RIFM To Open Fragrances And Flavors Database To Non-Members In New Year

Companies working to comply with new requirements under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) system in Europe will be able to consult the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials' flavors and fragrances database beginning in 2008, RIFM says.

"The value of the database is the compilation of the data for flavors and fragrances in a centralized location. There's just no other database like it for [those materials]," RIFM's Technical Manager Christen Sachse-Vasquez told "The Rose Sheet" Dec. 19.

"Through extensive research, testing and constant monitoring of all scientific literature available, RIFM maintains the database as the most comprehensive source worldwide of physical-chemical, toxicological and eco-toxicological data, literature and information associated with known fragrance and flavor materials," RIFM says in a Dec. 17 release.

With over 53,000 references covering more than 111,000 human health and environmental studies - including RIFM-sponsored studies, unpublished member company studies, government reports and public literature - the database offers information on more than 5,000 fragrance and flavor materials, the organization notes.

Basic information on each material - CAS numbers, synonyms, structures, molecular formulas and weights, physical properties and material relationships - also is available.

Additionally, the database contains regulatory information including International Fragrance Association standards, FDA GRAS ("Generally Recognized as Safe") status and California/Environmental Protection Agency listings.

Available to RIFM members since 1983, the database will be opened in 2008 to "persons, firms or corporations who are not eligible for membership in RIFM or [the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association] but are directly engaged in a business in the fragrance or flavor industry."

Sachse-Vasquez explained: "There's going to be a review group that's going to review all the applications that we get to make sure that applicants are eligible as non-member subscribers. In addition, the review committee will seek to ensure that new subscribers will comply with the database subscription agreement."

Qualifying industry consultants will be allowed access, "but we're going to be monitoring their access very closely to avoid improper copying of the database or other violations of the subscriber agreement," Sachse-Vasquez said.

Under REACH law, which went into effect in June 2007, manufacturers are required to provide the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki, Finland with information on chemical substances they use, "which will allow their safe handling," according to the European Commission (EC).

Companies wishing to access RIFM's database will be charged on a per-user basis under the current schedule - $19,500 for one user and $34,500 for two to five users, according to Sachse-Vasquez.

Subscribers "can download a comprehensive computer-generated synopsis on individual materials in the database," according to RIFM.

However, Sachse-Vasquez noted that "just because you have access to the [RIFM] database doesn't mean you have access to the full study reports."

Full RIFM-sponsored studies and member studies can be purchased separately by firms that intend to reference the findings when registering under REACH, she said.

"If you're going to register a material under REACH and you're citing a study, it either has to be in the open literature or - if it's an unpublished study - you either have to have a letter of access that says you can use that study or you have to be the owner of that study," Sachse-Vasquez explained.

REACH "also calls for the progressive substitution of the most dangerous chemicals when suitable alternatives have been identified," the EC says.

- Ryan Nelson ([email protected])