Alternative methods for toxicity testing

In line with Directive 2010/63/EC on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, sectoral pieces of EU chemicals legislation (e.g. cosmetics, industrial chemicals) that rely on (eco)toxicological information either require or strongly encourage the use of alternatives to animal testing.

In addition to using in vitro methods that are formally validated and peer reviewed (see section Validated test methods), conclusions on chemical safety can sometimes be obtained by integrating data from multiple sources of information within Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA).

Data sources within IATA include computational methods, such as Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models and Physiologically Based Kinetic and Dynamic (PBK/D) models, in vitro tests, and existing data on chemical analogues (read-across).

DB-ALM is the JRC repository for alternative methods to animal experimentation both in research and for regulatory purposes, whilst TSAR provides information on alternative methods submitted for validation. It tracks progress from submission to eventual inclusion within regulatory frameworks.

In addition, QSAR models are reported in the JRC QSAR model database.

Find out about the the validation process, validated test methods, how to submit a test method and much more via the links below:

• Validation and submission process
• Validated test methods
• Computational methods
• IATA - Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment
• Advisory and consultation bodies
• EU-NETVAL validation laboratories