EURL ECVAM is an integral part of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. It is located at the JRC site in Ispra, Italy. What we do For over 30 years, the JRC has been working on the 'Three Rs' – the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal experiments. The mandate of EURL ECVAM is set out in the EU legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and includes a number of dutiesresearch and development, supported through collaboration with EU and international research initiativesvalidation of alternative methods for the safety assessment of chemicalsdissemination of information and sharing of knowledge on the Three Rspromotion of the Three Rs and non-animal approaches in science Find out about our work Discover our laboratory and meet molecular biologist, Raffaella Corvi Our activitiesMethod validationFind out about the validation process, validated test methods, how to submit a test method and much more.Biomedical researchRead our reviews on emerging non-animal models used for research in different disease areas.Three Rs in educationDiscover our education and training activities targeting secondary schools, universities and professional development.Knowledge sharingAdvancing alternative approaches through better knowledge sharing. Be part of the Three Rs knowledge community!CIAO projectMaking biological sense of COVID-19 using the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) knowledge management framework.EURL ECVAM’s laboratory facilityWe have an extensive experimental facility used for the development, validation and standardisation of in vitro methods. NewsHuman-centric research: the largest dataset of human biology-based models launchedThanks to data-driven AI techniques, hundreds of thousands of resources are now available to help enhance biomedical research through cutting-edge human biology-based models, accelerating innovation and reducing reliance on animal testing.Outcome of the JRC Summer School 2025 on Non-Animal Approaches in ScienceThe 5th edition of the JRC Summer School took place in May 2025, tailored for post-graduate students and early-career scientists working in bioscience research and focusing on non-animal methods and technologies.Boosting the Adverse Outcome Pathway Framework with AIAn international challenge invites creative minds to explore how Artificial Intelligence can strengthen and advance the Adverse Outcome Pathway Framework.JRC launches review of models and methods used in cardiovascular researchThe review will bring together experts and evidence with the aim to improve research outcomes, reduce animal experiments and promote non-animal approaches. Online Webinar 12 February 2026Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) for evidence-based decision - Approach, Use cases and Community Q&ARegister for the free online webinar on Thursday 12 February 2026 focused on the Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH), a comprehensive dataset of scientific articles utilising human biology-based models, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, 3D cell cultures, and computational models, aimed at facilitating more human-relevant biomedical research. Open callsApplications for the selection of members of ESAC sub-groupsOn the 25th of October 2022, the JRC launched a continuously open call for applications for the selection of members of the sub-groups operating under the ESAC. FeaturedPUBLICATIONESAC Opinion on the Scientific Validity of the RS Comet and RSMN Test MethodsThe EURL ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) released a new opinion confirming the scientific validity of the Reconstructed human Skin (RS) Comet and Micronucleus (MN) in vitro test methods for genotoxicity assessment.EDUCATIONAL RESOURCEEURL ECVAM Lab - Virtual RealityEURL ECVAM has developed an open access Virtual Reality (VR) teaching resource to support 3Rs (reduction, replacement and refinement) education for high school students. The tool aims to promote alternatives to animal testing in an interactive manner.PUBLICATIONEURL ECVAM Status Report 2024The 2024 EURL ECVAM Status Report outlines research and development activities, along with initiatives that foster the implementation and utilisation of non-animal methods and approaches in scientific research and regulation.NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTSetting out a roadmap for standardisation of organ-on-chip technologyStandardisation of Organ-on-chip technology is an important step towards personalised medicine and animal-free testing.SURVEYNotify your transitional initiativeThe Commission is establishing a dynamic catalogue of 'transitional initiatives' - planned courses of action including one or more activities, outputs and importantly expected outcomes that contribute to the phasing out of animal testing in the regulatory assessment of chemicals. We welcome notification of any initiative that contributes directly or indirectly to this goal.PUBLICATIONThe usefulness of in vitro mechanistic information in regulatory dossiersThe case of the CAR mode of action in carcinogenicity assessment and its implications in increasing reliance on non-animal approaches use in regulation. Want to know more?EURL ECVAM newsletter December 2025Learn more about EURL ECVAM's recent highlights and activities in our latest newsletter.Subscribe to the EURL ECVAM NewsletterOur 'News from EURL ECVAM ' provides updates and highlights of our activities. Subscribe to receive updates by email. Read previous issues.FAQsCheck out our FAQs to get a better understanding of who we are and what we do. Contact us EURL ECVAM NameEURL ECVAMEmailJRC-F3-ENQUIRIESec [dot] europa [dot] euPostal addressVia Enrico Fermi, 2749 21027 Ispra VA Italy
Method validationFind out about the validation process, validated test methods, how to submit a test method and much more.
Biomedical researchRead our reviews on emerging non-animal models used for research in different disease areas.
Three Rs in educationDiscover our education and training activities targeting secondary schools, universities and professional development.
Knowledge sharingAdvancing alternative approaches through better knowledge sharing. Be part of the Three Rs knowledge community!
CIAO projectMaking biological sense of COVID-19 using the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) knowledge management framework.
EURL ECVAM’s laboratory facilityWe have an extensive experimental facility used for the development, validation and standardisation of in vitro methods.
Human-centric research: the largest dataset of human biology-based models launchedThanks to data-driven AI techniques, hundreds of thousands of resources are now available to help enhance biomedical research through cutting-edge human biology-based models, accelerating innovation and reducing reliance on animal testing.
Outcome of the JRC Summer School 2025 on Non-Animal Approaches in ScienceThe 5th edition of the JRC Summer School took place in May 2025, tailored for post-graduate students and early-career scientists working in bioscience research and focusing on non-animal methods and technologies.
Boosting the Adverse Outcome Pathway Framework with AIAn international challenge invites creative minds to explore how Artificial Intelligence can strengthen and advance the Adverse Outcome Pathway Framework.
JRC launches review of models and methods used in cardiovascular researchThe review will bring together experts and evidence with the aim to improve research outcomes, reduce animal experiments and promote non-animal approaches.
Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) for evidence-based decision - Approach, Use cases and Community Q&ARegister for the free online webinar on Thursday 12 February 2026 focused on the Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH), a comprehensive dataset of scientific articles utilising human biology-based models, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, 3D cell cultures, and computational models, aimed at facilitating more human-relevant biomedical research.
Applications for the selection of members of ESAC sub-groupsOn the 25th of October 2022, the JRC launched a continuously open call for applications for the selection of members of the sub-groups operating under the ESAC.
PUBLICATIONESAC Opinion on the Scientific Validity of the RS Comet and RSMN Test MethodsThe EURL ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) released a new opinion confirming the scientific validity of the Reconstructed human Skin (RS) Comet and Micronucleus (MN) in vitro test methods for genotoxicity assessment.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCEEURL ECVAM Lab - Virtual RealityEURL ECVAM has developed an open access Virtual Reality (VR) teaching resource to support 3Rs (reduction, replacement and refinement) education for high school students. The tool aims to promote alternatives to animal testing in an interactive manner.
PUBLICATIONEURL ECVAM Status Report 2024The 2024 EURL ECVAM Status Report outlines research and development activities, along with initiatives that foster the implementation and utilisation of non-animal methods and approaches in scientific research and regulation.
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTSetting out a roadmap for standardisation of organ-on-chip technologyStandardisation of Organ-on-chip technology is an important step towards personalised medicine and animal-free testing.
SURVEYNotify your transitional initiativeThe Commission is establishing a dynamic catalogue of 'transitional initiatives' - planned courses of action including one or more activities, outputs and importantly expected outcomes that contribute to the phasing out of animal testing in the regulatory assessment of chemicals. We welcome notification of any initiative that contributes directly or indirectly to this goal.
PUBLICATIONThe usefulness of in vitro mechanistic information in regulatory dossiersThe case of the CAR mode of action in carcinogenicity assessment and its implications in increasing reliance on non-animal approaches use in regulation.
EURL ECVAM newsletter December 2025Learn more about EURL ECVAM's recent highlights and activities in our latest newsletter.
Subscribe to the EURL ECVAM NewsletterOur 'News from EURL ECVAM ' provides updates and highlights of our activities. Subscribe to receive updates by email. Read previous issues.
