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 duties
- research and development, supported through collaboration with EU and international research initiatives
- validation of alternative methods for the safety assessment of chemicals
- dissemination of information and sharing of knowledge on the Three Rs
- promotion of the Three Rs and non-animal approaches in science
Our activities
Find out about the validation process, validated test methods, how to submit a test method and much more.
Read our reviews on emerging non-animal models used for research in different disease areas.
Discover our education and training activities targeting secondary schools, universities and professional development.
Advancing alternative approaches through better knowledge sharing. Be part of the Three Rs knowledge community!
The work of EURL ECVAM is supporting the development and implementation of the roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments.
We have an extensive experimental facility used for the development, validation and standardisation of in vitro methods.
News
On 1 June 2026, the European Commission presented a roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, which lays out clear, tangible steps to ensure the transition to innovative non-animal approaches.
The 2025 EURL ECVAM Status Report charts major progress of EU efforts towards replacing, reducing and refining (3Rs) animal testing with new approach methodologies (NAMs) across research and regulation.
EURL ECVAM together with Scientix has developed a new learning scenario to bring the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) of animal use in science into secondary school classrooms across Europe, giving students a hands-on intro to the future of biomedical research.
JRC is contributing to the development of a modernised, science-based approach to identifying the potential of chemicals to cause cancer. The aim is clear: better protection of human health, while reducing reliance on animal testing.
Biomedical Models Hub - the largest dataset of human biology-based models
Thanks 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.
An open webinar took place in February 2026 on the Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) approach, use cases and community Q&A. Focusing on 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. The recording is now available.
Open calls
EURL ECVAM opens its High-Throughput testing laboratory for Non-Animal methods. Interested applicants are invited to read the full technical specifications and submit proposals.
On 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.
Featured
The review brings together experts and evidence with the aim to improve research outcomes, reduce animal experiments and promote non-animal approaches.
The 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.
EURL 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.
Standardisation of Organ-on-chip technology is an important step towards personalised medicine and animal-free testing.
The 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.
Making biological sense of COVID-19 using the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) knowledge management framework.
Want to know more?
Learn more about EURL ECVAM's recent highlights and activities in our latest newsletter.
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