BRUSSELS—A new roundtable report on phasing out animal testing in chemical safety assessments makes a significant contribution to the continuing drive to promote the development and implementation of non-animal methods.
The “EU Roadmap for Phasing Out Animal Testing for Chemical Safety Assessments: Recommendations from a Multi-stakeholder Roundtable” report, co-authored by experts from regulatory agencies, industry, academia, and civil society, promises to play a crucial role in shaping the European Commission’s (EC) roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessment.
The report responds to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe Without Animal Testing,” and was coordinated by a coalition of five leading animal protection NGOs, Cruelty Free Europe, Eurogroup for Animals, European Coalition to End Animal Experiments, Humane World for Animals, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The roundtable workshop, hosted by the animal organisations in June 2024, brought together a diverse group of experts who are actively leading and contributing to the development of the EC roadmap and who collaborated to develop a structured and strategic approach to transitioning to non-animal testing methods. This newly released roundtable report, published in the ALTEX journal, outlines concrete actions for regulatory reform and scientific advancement.
Key focus areas include:
- Revising chemical legislation to enable increased implementation of non-animal methods
- Accelerating acceptance and validation of non-animal approaches
- Enhancing data-sharing through EU databases to support scientific progress
- Strengthening global cooperation and communication between regulators and researchers
- Developing expertise and capacity-building in non-animal methods
- Tracking progress with measurable indicators and ensuring long-term funding
Participants emphasized transparency, data accessibility, and sustainable financial support as critical elements for a successful transition.
The voices of 1.2 million citizens have made it clear—the EU must take decisive steps toward a future where chemical safety is ensured without animal suffering.
Looking ahead, recommendations from this report will help guide discussions at the 3rd European Commission Conference on the Roadmap in June 2025, a key milestone for evaluating progress and refining future actions. The final roadmap is expected to be delivered in Q1 2026.
With millions of animals being used around the world in toxicity tests, the transition to non-animal testing is not just a scientific necessity but an ethical imperative. This report serves as a blueprint for policymakers, regulators, and scientific communities dedicated to advancing non-animal testing frameworks.
Background information:
- Workshop report: EU Roadmap for Phasing Out Animal Testing for Chemical Safety Assessments: Recommendations from a Multi-stakeholder Roundtable. Walder et al. 2025. ALTEX (42). doi:10.14573/altex.2503241
- 3rd EC conference on roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments
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