The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety enters a new chapter with the appointment of its 2026 Board officers, reinforcing its global commitment to advancing animal-free approaches in cosmetics safety science at a time of rapid regulatory and scientific change.
The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) has confirmed its Board officers for 2026, following elections held during the organization’s December 2025 Board meeting. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the relatively young global initiative, which continues to position itself at the forefront of efforts to replace animal testing in cosmetics safety assessment with scientifically robust, human-relevant alternatives. The newly elected leadership reflects both continuity and growing maturity within ICCS, as the organization builds on a year of substantial progress and looks ahead to expanding its impact across regulatory, scientific, and industry communities worldwide.
ICCS operates at the intersection of science, policy, and collaboration, bringing together diverse stakeholders who share a common objective: accelerating the global adoption and acceptance of animal-free safety science for cosmetics and their ingredients. The confirmation of the 2026 Board officers underscores the organization’s intention to maintain strategic focus while navigating an increasingly complex international landscape, where expectations for ethical research, scientific rigor, and regulatory alignment continue to evolve.
Leadership continuity and global representation
The 2026 Board leadership brings together senior figures from across the cosmetics, consumer products, and regulatory advocacy sectors, reflecting the multi-stakeholder nature that has defined ICCS since its inception. Stéphane Dhalluin, Ph.D., DABT, Global Head of Human & Environmental Safety Evaluation at L’Oréal, has been re-elected as Chair of the Board of Directors. His reappointment signals confidence in a leadership approach that has emphasized scientific credibility, global cooperation, and constructive engagement with regulators.
Serving alongside him as Vice Chair is Darren Praznik, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cosmetics Alliance Canada, whose long-standing work in industry advocacy and regulatory engagement offers a valuable blend of regional insight and policy expertise. The role of Secretary will be held by Heike Scheffler, Ph.D., Safety Advocacy and Regulatory Toxicology Director for Global Product Stewardship in Beauty and Oral Care at Procter & Gamble, bringing extensive knowledge of regulatory toxicology and international product safety systems. Michael Southall, Ph.D., Senior Director and Head of Global Toxicology and Clinical Safety within Medical Clinical & Safety Sciences at Kenvue, has been elected Treasurer, contributing significant leadership experience in toxicology and organizational governance.
Together, the officers form a Board leadership team that spans multinational corporations, industry associations, and regulatory science, reinforcing ICCS’ position as a neutral platform for collaboration rather than advocacy for any single sector. This balance is central to the organization’s credibility, particularly as it seeks to influence regulatory thinking and encourage convergence around animal-free safety methodologies.
Advancing animal-free scientific innovation through united collaboration
ICCS’ mission is grounded in the belief that animal-free safety assessment methods, once thoroughly optimized and validated, are not only ethically responsible but also capable of delivering exceptional scientific outcomes. Since its founding in early 2023, ICCS has worked to demonstrate that non-animal approaches can produce reliable, relevant data that protect both human health and the environment. The confirmation of the 2026 Board officers comes at a moment when this message is gaining strength, supported by tangible progress and growing involvement from regulators worldwide.
Throughout 2025, ICCS rolled out multiple initiatives that strengthened its scientific foundation while extending its overall impact. Among these, it released a Best Practice Guidance document designed to bring greater clarity and consistency to the application of animal‑free safety assessment approaches. This resource aimed to bridge the divide between scientific advances and regulatory expectations, offering a practical tool that stakeholders could rely on when producing or evaluating non‑animal data.
In parallel, ICCS contributed to shaping new methodologies consistent with next generation risk assessment (NGRA), an evolving framework that draws on advanced in vitro, in silico, and exposure-driven strategies. These methods are now widely regarded as fundamental to contemporary toxicology, offering more human-relevant insights while limiting dependence on animal studies. ICCS’ engagement in this field underscores its dedication to promoting both ethical progress and scientific rigor.
Equally important has been the organization’s emphasis on dialogue. Throughout 2025, ICCS engaged extensively with regulators, scientists, and policymakers across multiple regions, contributing to discussions on how animal-free data can be interpreted and accepted within existing regulatory frameworks. These conversations have been instrumental in building shared understanding and trust, particularly in jurisdictions where regulatory acceptance of non-animal methods is still developing.
A decisive turning point in cosmetics safety oversight
The selection of the 2026 Board officers unfolds amid a period of major shifts in global cosmetics regulation, as numerous markets revisit long‑standing testing mandates in response to evolving public expectations, scientific progress, and broader international policy developments. Within this landscape, organizations such as ICCS hold an essential role by helping bridge innovation and regulatory demands, ensuring that advancement remains both trustworthy and sustainable.
ICCS leadership has consistently emphasized that the transition to animal-free safety science cannot be achieved through isolated efforts. Instead, it requires coordinated action across industry, academia, regulators, and civil society. The composition of the Board reflects this philosophy, bringing together leaders who understand the technical, regulatory, and organizational dimensions of change.
Statements from ICCS leadership following the elections highlighted both confidence and realism. While there is recognition of the momentum generated in recent years, there is also acknowledgment that significant work remains. Achieving widespread regulatory acceptance of animal-free approaches will require continued investment in research, transparent data sharing, and ongoing engagement with authorities to address legitimate questions around reliability, applicability, and protection of public health.
The re-elected Chair emphasized the importance of leveraging ICCS’ global, multi-stakeholder model to close the gap between innovation and regulation. This approach aims to ensure that advances in animal-free science are not confined to research settings but translated into practical tools that regulators can trust and apply consistently.
Strengthening foundations for long-term impact
As ICCS looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, the organization is focused on consolidating its achievements while expanding its reach. The newly confirmed Board leadership is expected to play a central role in shaping priorities that balance scientific ambition with practical implementation. This includes identifying areas where additional guidance or consensus-building is needed, supporting the validation and communication of new methodologies, and fostering international alignment to reduce fragmentation in regulatory requirements.
Education remains a core element of ICCS’ strategy, as the organization works to provide accessible, science‑based resources and forums for discussion that illuminate the foundations of animal‑free safety science and enable well‑informed decision‑making. This mission becomes particularly crucial in a field where misconceptions or uneven expertise may slow progress, even when the underlying science is strong.
The organization’s structure, which includes market-leading cosmetics and ingredient manufacturers, trade and research associations, and animal protection organizations, positions it uniquely to address these challenges. This diversity of perspectives helps ensure that discussions remain grounded, balanced, and focused on shared goals rather than narrow interests.
Based in New York, ICCS remains active as a global initiative that underscores the inherently international landscape of cosmetics research and regulation. As products and ingredients frequently cross national borders, aligning standards and encouraging mutual acceptance of safety practices become ever more crucial. By working collaboratively, ICCS aims to support this alignment, minimize redundant efforts, and strengthen confidence in animal-free science around the world.
By confirming its 2026 Board officers, ICCS underscores both consistency and a clear drive toward progress, with a leadership group that extends the momentum of a year defined by tangible accomplishments while offering the insight and expertise required to steer the coming stage of transformation; as scientific innovation quickens and regulatory expectations shift, the organization’s function as a unifying force and driver of animal-free cosmetics safety science is poised to gain even greater significance.
Ultimately, the significance of the 2026 Board elections arises not only from who is chosen but also from the message their leadership sends: a sustained commitment to collaboration, scientific rigor, and the careful advancement of alternatives to animal testing. For ICCS and its stakeholders, the coming years offer an opportunity to convert vision into lasting outcomes, guiding the future of cosmetics safety in a way that unites ethics, science, and global public trust.