EURL ECVAM is an integral part of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. It is located in 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!
Making biological sense of COVID-19 using the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) knowledge management framework.
We have an extensive experimental facility used for the development, validation and standardisation of in vitro methods.
News
The JRC is excited to announce that applications are now open to the 5th edition of its Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science: Changing the paradigm. Join the Summer School in Italy 19-23 May 2025.
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.
The JRC-led initiative called PRO-MaP aims to improve methodological reporting and transparency in scientific publications to capitalise on innovation and improve health outcomes for all.
Want to know more?
Check out our FAQs to get a better understanding of who we are and what we do.
Our 'News from EURL ECVAM ' provides updates and highlights of our activities. Why not subscribe to receive it by email!
Events
The JRC is excited to announce the fifth edition of its Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science: Changing the Paradigm!
Open calls
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 case of the CAR mode of action in carcinogenicity assessment and its implications in increasing reliance on non-animal approaches use in regulation.
The JRC-led initiative called PRO-MaP aims to improve methodological reporting and transparency in scientific publications to capitalise on innovation and improve health outcomes for all.
JRC publication: Learning from the students - The impact of the JRC Summer School Non-animal Approaches in Science - Survey results
The 2023 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.
