A retrospective analysis of the association between skin irritancy and the potential to cause contact sensitization has been performed employing a historical database for 50 chemicals and formulations. Correlations between the results of Draize skin irritation tests and skin sensitizing activity measured with the occluded patch test of Buehler have been examined. Weak, but nevertheless statistically significant, associations between contact sensitization and skin irritancy have been demonstrated. It is proposed that such correlations are consistent with the irritant properties of a material exerting an important influence on the extent to which contact sensitization is induced.