ECHA Investigates Alternative to Fish Toxicity Testing: Potential Use of Enhanced FET Method

On 13 November 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that it has partnered with the Fraunhofer Institute to investigate a potential alternative to aquatic toxicity testing using fish. The research will focus on whether the Fish Embryo Toxicity (FET) test, already recognized as an alternative for acute toxicity assessment, can be enhanced with transcriptomics to replace chronic toxicity testing.

The Role of Enhanced FET in Chemical Safety

Enhanced FET uses transcriptomics to detect molecular changes in fish embryos exposed to chemicals, providing insights into adverse effects and toxicological mechanisms, including endocrine disruption. Fish embryos are not classified as a protected life stage under EU animal welfare legislation, positioning this method as a promising New Approach Methodology (NAM) for regulatory hazard assessment.

Addressing Animal Testing Concerns

ECHA’s initiative responds to increasing societal and political pressure to phase out animal testing in the assessment of chemicals. The Agency is actively developing NAMs, working with stakeholders and organising events to promote non-animal testing methods.