IKW and DGK cooperate on training for safety assessors with International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety and Cosmetics Europe

June 16, 2023

Frankfurt am Main, 16 June 2023. Always up to date in cosmetics safety: DGK (German Society for Scientific and Applied Cosmetics) and IKW (Industrial Association for Personal Care and Detergents) are expanding the training programme for cosmetics safety assessors with new courses on alternative (non-animal) assessment strategies and test methods for cosmetics as well as on background aspects and strategies for environmental assessments of cosmetic ingredients. The new courses are developed with scientific expertise by the newly formed International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS). Cosmetics Europe (CE) provides support and advice in relation to cosmetics. Qualified experts from all over the world will present the modules.


With the new training offer, DGK and IKW remain consistently true to their strategy of continuously developing the training programme for cosmetics safety assessors that has been offered for 25 years - always with the aim of supporting the safety assessors in their demanding task. In addition to the existing course cycle, which consists of seven training courses and various seminars, the new modules will complement the existing programme after their release in the autumn.


The new module “8” will be mandatory for safety assessors and is based on alternative test methods to animal testing and new assessment strategies for the safety of cosmetic ingredients. In the past, knowledge on alternative test methods was already imparted in seminars and courses. However, in the daily work of safety assessors, non-animal approaches are becoming more and more important. Experts from ICCS will provide expert and practical instructions for this module.


Another optional course is dedicated to strategies for assessing the potential impact of cosmetic products and their ingredients on the environment. As environmental issues are becoming increasingly important, experts from ICCS and CE will offer scientific basics and facts on this topic in a separate seminar starting in autumn.


Participants in the anniversary event "Safety is the Key", which will take place on 15 June and 16 June 2023 on the Petersberg near Bonn, will get a foretaste of the new course offer. In addition to many international and top-class experts, Erin H. Hill, President and CEO of ICCS, will report on "The Non- Animal Strategy for Cosmetic Ingredients" at the science conference.


More information on the training programme for safety assessors is available at https://safetyassessor.info/


About Cosmetics Europe

Cosmetics Europe is the European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry. For 60 years, Cosmetics Europe has been the voice of the cosmetics and personal care industry in Europe. Our members include cosmetics and personal care manufacturers as well as associations representing our industry at national level, right across Europe. For more information, please consult Cosmetics Europe website.

 

About DGK

The German Society for Applied and Scientific Cosmetics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für angewandte und wissenschaftliche Kosmetik) has been a registered non-profit association since 1957, dedicated to science, education, and cosmetic research.


Various specialized and working groups continuously engage with topics related to modern cosmetic research and regularly conduct educational seminars.


About ICCS

The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) is a global initiative focused on advancing the adoption of animal-free safety assessment approaches for cosmetics, personal care products and their ingredients. ICCS brings together scientists and experts from cosmetics manufacturers and suppliers, industry associations, and animal protection organizations to drive greater global awareness to accelerate widespread use of animal-free science through research, education, and regulatory engagement. https://www.iccs-cosmetics.org/


About IKW

The German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association, with headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, was founded in 1968. It represents the interests of more than 440 companies from the fields of beauty and home care on a national and European level. The industry generates sales revenues of more than EUR 19 billion and employs a workforce of approximately 50,000 people. The member companies cover approximately 95 % of the market.


IKW is the contact partner for its member companies, ministries, public authorities, consumers, institutions and associations as well as for the media as far as scientific, regulatory or business topics are concerned. Experts of the competence partners Beauty Care and Home Care within IKW provide competent answers on questions concerning skin and hair care, beauty and self-esteem as well as hygiene and cleaning. More information on www.ikw.org.

Press Release

International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety Announces 2026 Board Officers

January 22, 2026
The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) today announced the election of its 2026 Board officers, confirmed at the organization’s December 2025 Board meeting. The newly elected leadership reflects ICCS’ continued commitment to advancing approaches in animal-free cosmetics safety.

ICCS Webinar: Applying NAMs in Practice for Skin Sensitization Assessment

January 8, 2026
In July 2025, the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) published its Best Practice Guidance (BPG) Document on Skin Sensitization Assessment , supporting the consistent and scientifically robust use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The guidance has been widely welcomed by regulators and safety assessors as a critical step toward strengthening confidence in non-animal approaches for cosmetic ingredient safety evaluation. As regulatory frameworks worldwide continue to advance toward animal-free safety decisions, implementation is the decisive next step. To support this transition, ICCS is convening a free, in-depth webinar focused on how the Guidance can be applied in real-world regulatory risk assessments for skin sensitization. From guidance to practice: This session will demonstrate how defined approaches under OECD Guideline 497— including the 2 out of 3 (2o3), the Integrated Testing Strategy (ITS), and the SARA-ICE model—can be used together within practical, decision-ready risk assessment workflows. Webinar Details Thursday, April 9, 2026 1:00 – 4:30 PM CET Format: Virtual | Free to Attend Speakers and Presentations Donna Macmillan, PhD – Director, Outreach & Capacity Building, ICCS An Introduction to the ICCS Best Practice Guidance Document on Skin Sensitization Petra Kern, PhD – Senior Toxicologist/Risk Assessor, Procter & Gamble A Deep Dive into OECD GL 497 Defined Approaches: 2o3 and ITS Georgia Reynolds, MSc – Safety Science Leader, Unilever Applying OECD GL 497 Defined Approaches: SARA-ICE Nathalie Alépée, PhD – Research Toxicologist & Scientific Officer, L’Oréal The ICCS BPG on Skin Sensitization in Practice: A Case Study The webinar will provide live Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and discuss practical, regulatory-relevant questions. Who Should Attend This session is designed for regulatory scientists, safety assessors, and technical experts working across regulatory agencies, industry, and associated research organizations who are involved in skin sensitization assessment and the application of NAM-based evidence. Registration is now open. Register Today Join ICCS and leading experts to explore how NAMs can be confidently applied in regulatory practice and help support robust decision-making without the use of animals.
Press Release

Consumer Healthcare Products Association Joins the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety

October 16, 2025
The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) today announced that the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has joined its global network of non-governmental, trade/research organizations, and industry partners dedicated to advancing animal-free safety assessments for cosmetics and personal care products. “We are thrilled to welcome CHPA to ICCS,” said Erin Hill, President and CEO of ICCS. “Their leadership in consumer health and dedication to regulatory science will further strengthen our collective mission to promote innovative, human- and environmentally relevant safety assessment strategies. Especially at a time in the U.S., when the Food and Drug Administration is emphasizing reliable alternatives to animal testing, ICCS and its members are united in driving collaborative, science-led approaches that advance public health protection.” Jay Sirois, PhD, Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at CHPA, said: “Joining ICCS reflects our shared commitment to modernizing safety evaluation across product categories. This collaboration will help ensure that scientific innovation and regulatory progress move hand in hand, supporting the ongoing development of safe, effective, and trusted self-care products.” The ICCS–CHPA collaboration comes at a pivotal moment following the FDA’s September 30, 2025, communication in which the Agency explicitly encouraged the development of new, reliable alternatives to animal testing for sunscreens. In response, ICCS is offering its support to help the FDA realize its plans for implementing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in sunscreen safety assessments. ICCS aims to help ensure that the FDA’s commitment to modern, animal-free science, already demonstrated in other regulatory areas, is fully realized in the sunscreen space. ICCS’ aligned efforts focus on advancing modern, science-based approaches to safety assessment that incorporate new technologies and internationally recognized best practices. The organization also supports a consistent and transparent regulatory framework that enables the broader application of NAMs across product categories. Through continued collaboration and knowledge sharing among regulators, industry, and NGOs, ICCS works to strengthen public health protection while fostering scientific innovation and regulatory modernization. By strengthening partnerships and advancing modern scientific tools, ICCS and its members are setting the stage for lasting progress in regulatory science and public health protection. About ICCS The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety is a global initiative headquartered in New York. It brings together scientists from industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations to promote the adoption and regulatory acceptance of animal-free safety science through education, research, and collaboration. Visit www.iccs-cosmetics.org About CHPA The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and OTC medical devices. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by ensuring that Americans have access to products they can count on to be reliable, affordable, and convenient, while also delivering new and better ways to get and stay healthy. Visit www.chpa.org
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