From Theory to Practice: A New Way Forward for the IFSCC

By: Johann W. Wiechers, PhD, et al.

Posted: October 21, 2008

Gavin Greenoak, vice-president, IFSCC
Xavier Romeu, president, IFSCC
Johann W. Wiechers, immediate past president, IFSCC
Amy Wyatt, chair of the education committee , IFSCC
Fujihiro Kanda, chair of the science committee of the IFSCC
The International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC), Luton, United Kingdom

The International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year in Melbourne, Australia, during the 2009 IFSCC Conference—a true milestone in the history of the IFSCC! However, as an organization of and for cosmetic chemists, the IFSCC has changed over the years. In fact, the purpose of this article is to inform readers about the latest changes that were agreed upon in Barcelona in 2008 during the 25th IFSCC Congress.

These changes relate to three things: adopting a program that differentiates between IFSCC Conferences and Congresses; implementing a prestigious new educational program—the Ecatarina Merica Cosmetic Education Programme; and finally, organizing the next IFSCC Conference to be held back-to-back with the in-cosmetics Asia show, to be held in Singapore the week after the IFSCC in Melbourne.

These three initiatives are the IFSCC's attempts to get closer to its members. After all, the IFSCC should be a part of every cosmetic scientist's life and not just a part of the more experienced members'. The present article explains the rationale behind these initiatives, of course in an attempt to drum up participation.

Differentiating Congresses and Conferences
In the past, IFSCC Congresses have occurred every even-numbered year, and IFSCC Conferences every odd-numbered year. The former typically attracts more than 1,000 individuals, whereas the latter is visited by approximately 450 visitors. The Congresses last three days whereas the Conferences last two days. Both typically have an exhibition, both welcome the winner of the Maison G. de Navarre Young Scientist Prize, and both award the best scientific contribution with an award. See the difference? If not, don’t feel embarrassed—many IFSCC officers did not see the difference, either.