Mourning Professor Emeritus James (Jim) Wilfred Bridges

A highly respected and broadly engaged toxicologist, Professor Bridges dedicated his career to advancing scientific understanding in chemical risk assessment, in vitro toxicology and non-animal testing methods, the sustainability of chemicals, and environmental health policy. His contributions across these fields helped shape how regulators, industry and the wider scientific community approach some of the most complex questions in human and environmental safety.

For the fragrance industry, Professor Bridges will be remembered above all for his leadership of the IDEA Supervisory Group, a role he held from the initiative's creation in 2013. Under his stewardship, IDEA grew into what is today widely regarded as a benchmark for scientific multi-stakeholder engagement, bringing together regulators, industry and academia in open, evidence-based dialogue. His insistence that the best available science should guide regulation, and his willingness to stand up for that conviction, leave a lasting mark on the way our sector approaches safety and regulatory science.

Matthias Vey, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at IFRA and long-time collaborator with Prof Bridges said, “Those who had the privilege of working with Jim will remember not only his dedication and scientific rigour, but also the kindness and genuine warmth he brought to every interaction. He combined intellectual authority with real generosity of spirit, a combination that made him a trusted figure across an unusually wide community of colleagues”.

Our condolences and thoughts are with his wife Olga, their family, and his many friends and colleagues at this very sad time. He will be deeply missed.