ECHA supports EU roadmap for alternatives to animal testing with new collaborative platform

ECHA supports EU roadmap for alternatives to animal testing with new collaborative platform

ECHA/NR/26/21

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) welcomes the European Commission's roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments. The Agency will contribute to this initiative with its scientific and regulatory expertise and by launching a new Collaborative Platform on Alternatives to Animal Testing.

Helsinki, 2 June 2026 - The Commission roadmap, published on 1 June 2026, provides the strategic framework to accelerate the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal testing across EU legislation for chemical safety.

ECHA is committed to the objectives of the roadmap and the transition from traditional testing methods to innovative non-animal approaches.

The Agency, to support the implementation of the roadmap, is establishing a Collaborative Platform on Alternatives to Animal Testing. The platform will focus on the development and regulatory update of non-animal approaches in chemical safety assessments, including aspects related to validation, standardisation and regulatory use.

It will bring together regulators, industry, academia and civil society to exchange knowledge and enhance their mutual understanding on the efficient regulatory use of animal-free test methods. The platform members will also discuss and address existing scientific and technical challenges. The first meeting of the platform will take place in Helsinki on 11-12 June 2026.

ECHA will also continue its work in developing new approach methodologies (NAMs), as well as tools, data and methods that support the replacement and reduction of animal testing in line with EU policy objectives. This is conducted through projects and framework contracts in collaboration with international partners and the wider scientific community.

Background

The European Commission's roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments was published on 1 June 2026. It outlines actions to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. It supports the collaboration between EU institutions, agencies, Member States and stakeholders.

The roadmap has been developed in response to a European Citizens' Initiative demanding a Europe without animal testing. The initiative was submitted to the Commission on 25 January 2023 after having gathered more than 1.2 million verified signatures.

Press contacts: Päivi Jokiniemi +358 50 416 7629, Vasiliki Kalopita +358 50 302 8502 - [email protected]