Washington — Recent Environmental Protection Agency actions will further EPA’s mission to eliminate animal testing in industrial chemical assessments and promote “more transparent safety decisions” to protect workers, the agency asserts.
On June 2, EPA announced that it has updated its list of alternative test methods to replace the use of animal studies, also known as New Approach Methods, for chemical assessments as required under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
“Modern NAMs, including human cell models and advanced computer-based methods, help EPA identify hazards and exposures faster and often with results that are more relevant to people, not laboratory animals,” the agency said in a press release. “These tools can cut costs and time, reduce animal use, and provide clearer insight into how a chemical works in the body.”
The introduction of 13 new NAMs marks the first update to the list since 2021, EPA says. Additionally, the agency unveiled a “streamlined process” for researchers, organizations and other stakeholders to nominate new NAMs as the agency seeks to end animal testing by 2035.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said in the release that “by broadening high-quality alternatives and inviting strong new candidates, we can deliver faster, more protective decisions while reducing animal testing.”
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine applauds the development in a separate release, saying that the organization “has long advocated for stakeholder participation in identifying promising NAMs” and is “excited by this progress.”
