Around 100 new or updated animal-free test methods for the regulatory safety testing of chemical substances under the EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation (1907/2006/EC) were adopted by the European Commission on Friday 3 March.
The majority of newly approved toxicity test methods are New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) which do not involve animals.
Under the new rules (Commission Regulation amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical progress, the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 laying down test methods pursuant to the REACH Regulation), internationally approved test methods are listed directly in REACH, thus reducing the length of procedures.
The Commission is thus responding to calls to accelerate the regulatory adoption of non-animal alternatives. This will also contribute to the EU’s objective of phasing out the use of animals in regulatory testing.
Under REACH, animal testing must be avoided in favour of alternative methods and tests involving the use of animals may only be carried out as a last resort and after obtaining the approval of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
To consult the Commission’s rules: https://aeur.eu/f/5mt (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)