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Description of  Alternative (Non-animal) Methods for Chemicals Testing: Current Status and Future Prospects

Report prepared by ECVAM (Europen Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods) and the ECVAM Working Group on Chemicals. The principal aim of this report is to summarise the current status of alternative tests in contributing to the assessments of the potential toxicological (human health) effects of substances, as currently required by European Union (EU) legislation on chemicals. These assessments are also likely to be required when the proposed EU Chemicals Policy is implemented. The effects covered are: acute lethal toxicity dermal and ocular irritation and corrosion skin and respiratory sensitisation target organ and target system toxicity genotoxicity and carcinogenicity reproductive toxicity and the biokinetic endpoints of absorption, distribution and metabolism. The emphasis of the report is on methods that can be used to replace or partially replace existing animal-based tests. For each toxicological effect, the report identifies alternative methods that can be used immediately, either because they have been scientifically validated as definitive tests, or because they are considered to be sufficiently wellestablished for use in the prioritisation of further testing. For most of the toxicological effects considered, the incorporation of alternative methods into tiered testing strategies offers the most immediate promise for replacing, reducing and refining the use of animals, without compromising the protection of human health. In some cases, such as dermal and ocular irritation and corrosion, tiered testing strategies can be implemented immediately.