ECHA publishes report and hosts workshop on animal-free testing methods

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) recently organized a workshop on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) with over 500 participants to discuss ways to replace animal testing in the hazard assessment of industrial chemicals while at the same time ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment.

The workshop aimed to achieve a common understanding of what short and long-time goals can be realized with NAMs. Some issues discussed at the workshop were:

• Potential areas where NAMs could be used to reduce regulatory dependence on data generated with animal tests.

• How to accelerate the regulatory acceptance of NAMs.

• The potential of NAMs to accelerate the pace of assessment while taking ethical values into consideration.

The concluding remarks from the Director for Prioritisation and Integration, Ofelia Bercaru, indicated that ECHA opens the way for animal testing-free chemicals regulation in the future: “ECHA is committed to supporting the development of new methodologies to replace testing on animals. We also want to contribute to future EU chemicals regulation which would not rely on animal testing. This workshop gave us new views and a better understanding on how we can move forward, while implementing horizonal regulations such as REACH and CLP." 

Prior to the workshop ECHA published its fifth report on the use of alternatives to testing on animals for the REACH Regulation. The report finds that progress is being made in the increased use of alternatives to gather data on the properties of substances, in place of animal testing. An example is that there has been a significant increase in the use of in vitro test methods. These are methods that involve studies with cell, tissues, or organs which are used to obtain data for skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/eye irritation and skin sensitisation. Approximately 50% of the studies conducted for skin and eye irritation in the period 1990-2022 were performed in vitro. For new studies conducted in 2019-2022, this percentage rises to approximately 90%.

The report reveals opportunities and challenges associated with moving away from animal testing in the regulatory assessment of chemicals. Additionally, it presents the initiatives made by ECHA to promote non-animal testing and to increase the acceptance and uptake of NAMs.