Assessment of U.S. Federal Agency Ecotoxicity Information and Testing Needs
U.S. regulatory and research agencies use ecotoxicity test data to assess the hazards and risks associated with substances that may be released into the environment, including but not limited to industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, food additives, and cosmetics. These data are used to conduct hazard assessments and evaluate potential risks to non-target animals and plants. To identify opportunities for regulatory uses of non-animal replacements for ecotoxicity tests, the needs and uses for these types of test data must first be clarified. The ICCVAM Ecotoxicology Workgroup prepared a review (Ceger et al. 2022) that identifies the ecotoxicity test data relied upon by U.S. federal agencies. The review describes the standards, test guidelines, guidance documents, and endpoints that are used to address each of the responding agencies’ regulatory and research needs regarding ecotoxicity testing in the context of their application to decision-making. This information will be useful for coordinating efforts to develop and implement alternative test methods to reduce, refine, or replace animal use in chemical safety evaluations.