The Swiss Society of Cosmetic Chemists Switzerland is one of the most industrialized countries in the world, where the chemical industry has achieved a very important position during the past hundred years. The chemical industry, particularly that located in Basle, at first specia- lized in the production of colours, but it was only near the end of the last century that the manufacture of pharmaceuticals began. At the same time a few specialists created in Geneva and Zurich an industry for the production of perfumery and flavoring materials which now have a world-wide reputation. It is easy to understand why this well developed Swiss chemical industry long favoured advances in the cosmetic industry. That is why we have in this country several enterprises specializing in the production of cosmetics since the beginning of this century. The close contact between the pharmaceutical industry is the reason why, in Switzerland, cosmetics have been produced for many years, on a really scientific basis. It was the close contact between the Pharmaceutical industry, Swiss chemists and the collaboration with cosmetic firms in other countries which resulted in an exchange of ideas and the creation of the Swiss Society of Cosmetic Chemists. I•urt J. Pfeiffer, President of the Swiss Society, has been a member of the United States Society since 1953 he has had several contacts in New York with the members of the U. S. Society, and it was at this time that the idea of a Swiss Society began. During his stay in Geneva in November 1956, Maison G. de Navarre had the pleasure to assist in the creation of the Swiss Society.

The collaborators of different cosmetic firms in Geneva studied the rules, and on May 27th, 1957, the publication of the founding of the Swiss Society of Cosmetic Chemists was made in the official Federal Notice. At about the same time, the decision was taken to organize in Geneva an International Meeting with the participation of a group of the United States Society. This meeting took place in Geneva from August 1st to August 4th. Again, the importance of the collaboration between the specialists of the cosmetic industry, coming from various countries, was shown. The Authorities of the City of Geneva and the large perfumery firms in this country worked very closely with the Swiss S.C.C. for this first Inter- national Meeting. During the last few years, contacts with other Societies of Cosmetic Chemists influenced in a very beneficial way the development of the Swiss Society, which is now a member of the International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetic Chemists. Local meetings have been organized every year, very often in collaboration with the Federal Office for Public Health and the Swiss Central Office for the Control of Medicaments. These contacts indicate the importance attached by the Swiss Authorities to the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. We also have had several meetings in collaboration with our sister Societies and especially the German Society during the very important meeting which took place in Berne in March, 1960. A new meeting was organized in collaboration with the U.S. Society in September, 1960. All the participants ot• the Conference in Geneva were invited by the important pharmaceutical firms in Basle to be their guests. This gesture further cemented the friendly and professional relationship. The Swiss Society greatly appreciates having been given the opportunity to publish the TEN VOLUME INDEX . The hope of all its members is to cooperate, with this opportunity, in the further development of the idea of an International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists.