The IFSCC Ecaterina Merica Cosmetic Education Programme (EMCEP) returned to its spiritual home this year as it visited Romania, home of Prof Ecaterina Merica after whom the programme is named and location of the first event in 2009, in conjunction with Bulgaria. This was EMCEP’s third visit to Romania.

President of the Romanian Society of Cosmetic Chemists (RSCC) Prof Maria Lungu, PhD commented: “We were deeply honoured by the decision of IFSCC and at the same time aware of our responsibility in organising this event as well as possible for both the lecturers and the attendees.

Over 40 RSCC members attended the inaugural 2009 workshops presented by two renowded specialists: Prof Dr Johann Wiechers from Netherlands on Skin Delivery Systems and Prof Dr Luigi Rigano from Italy on Emulsions: Formulation and Development.

Then in October 2013 RSCC welcomed Prof Dr Randall Wickett from the University of Cincinnati, USA at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection of the ‘Gheorghe Asachi’ Technical University of Iasi. This workshop focused on Skin Biology and Advanced Skin Science.

This year, on 19 June, Judi Beerling (Pertech Associates) and Dr Tony Gough (Innospec) were RSCC’s IFSCC guests, tackling a topic suggested by the RSCC’s workshop participants. Under the heading ‘Formulating Sustainably – The Opportunities & Challenges’, Judi and Tony presented two distinct morning and afternoon sessions: Formulation to Green Standards and The Challenges of Creating the Perfect Green Surfactant.

Among the 46 participating RSCC members, 15 were newly registered for this occasion. They came from Romanian cosmetic companies   (Hofigal Bucharest, Eurofins Evic Product Testing Romania Bucharest, Chemtech Bucharest, Chimtotal Trading Bucharest, Biotehnos Bucharest, FarmPrev Cluj Napoca, J.S.Hamilton International, BTC/BASF Romania, Hyperion Iasi, INAQ Consulting Bucharest), Romanian academic institutes (University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu of Cluj Napoca, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr.T.Popa of Iasi, Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi, University Lucian Blaga of Sibiu, University of Oradea, University Titu Maiorescu of Bucharest, Apollonia University of Iasi). Participants were scientific chemists, physicians, pharmacists and biologists as well as specialists in toxicology, testing, legislation and marketing, cosmetology and related fields, plus PhD and MS students interested in cosmetology.

The interactive and entertaining nature of the lectures were very much appreciated by the audience and the problem solving advanced by Judi and Tony was a real challenge for participants. The fact that the participants had already received the programme and course content definitely helped. It was a good opportunity for meeting and exchanging ideas between the specialists and participants but also helped strengthen connections between RSCC members.

At the end of the workshops, participants received certificates of attendance and took a group photo. Networking and discussions continued at the dinner that followed the event at the Panoramic Restaurant on the 13^th floor of the Unirea Hotel.

Support given by the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection at the Technical University ‘Gheorghe Asachi’ of Iasi deserves particular mention as we were able to take advantage of a proper session room as well as facilities and technical equipment that enabled us to hold the programme in optimum conditions.

The attention paid to this event is also demonstrated by a cooperation agreement with the District Council of Iași for supporting the development of the programme.

The programme was promoted on the Faculty website, on the website of the Romanian Pharmacists Society (who awarded credits in Continuous Pharmaceutical Education CPE to the pharmaceutical chemist participants) as well as on the RSCC facebook page (Fbk: Societatea Romana a Chimistilor Cosmetologi), which all contributed to its promotion and to recruiting new RSCC members.

This event was also mentioned in the local press while national TV station TVR broadcast a short report from the courses including interviews with RSCC Vice President Dr Eng Alina Nanu and President Prof Maria Lungu.

“The success of the Cosmetic Education Programme developed in Iasi on 19 June 2018 was confirmed by positive messages sent by participants who found the meeting interesting, instructive and extremely useful as well as being a good opportunity to acquire information and up to date knowledge from specialists in the field. All have expressed their thanks and congratulations for the good organisation of EMCEP Romania 2018,” confirmed Prof Maria Lungu.