Development and updates of agency webpages on alternatives development and acceptance
During 2022 and 2023, several ICCVAM agencies published new webpages summarizing activities to advance alternative methods.
- In June 2023, CPSC updated its Policy on Animal Testing web page. It has been redesigned to be more user-friendly and have direct access to necessary information and documents. One of the resources available on this page is CPSC’s “Guidance for Industry and Test Method Developers: CPSC Staff Evaluation of Alternative Test Methods and Integrated Testing Approaches and Data Generated from Such Methods to Support FHSA Labeling Requirements.”
- In 2020, FDA launched “Advancing Alternative Methods at FDA,” which highlights activities of its Alternative Methods Working Group. A 2023 update expanded this site from a single page to a site with pages providing information on:
- FDA partnerships to advance alternatives.
- FDA implementation of alternative methods.
- The FDA alternatives webinar series.
- Relevant publications and events.
- EPA maintains a number of webpages describing efforts to replace and reduce animal use for chemical safety testing. The Office of Research and Development’s “New Approach Methods Research” site links to the EPA’s 2021 New Approach Methods Work Plan, which describes objectives and strategies to implementing new approach methodologies (NAMs). Other links from this page lead to EPA’s Catalog of NAMs Training Materials and materials from EPA NAMs Conferences. The EPA Office of Pesticide Programs provides a webpage describing its “Strategic Vision for New Approach Methodologies – Metrics.” This page includes data compiled by the Hazard and Science Policy Council, the Chemistry and Acute Toxicology Science Advisory Council, and other groups about how EPA activities and guidance documents have reduced the number of animals used in testing and saved EPA and stakeholder resources. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics “Predictive Models and Tools for Assessing Chemicals” site links to models and tools that can be used to assess hazards, exposure, and environmental fate of new chemicals.
- DOI’s USGS is preparing a public webpage titled “Reducing Animal Use in Ecotoxicity Testing and Biomonitoring.” It briefly describes the types of ecotoxicological work conducted by the DOI, the 6R Principles, and ongoing efforts to reduce animal use and increase use of non-animal alternatives. It also provides some animal alternative reports and training opportunities.
- A major update of the USDA National Agricultural Library’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) website in 2022 improved user experience and streamlined information discovery; a new introductory video gives an overview of AWIC resources.