The European Commission has announced a new plan to gradually phase out animal testing in chemical safety tests across the European Union.
The plan aims to replace animal experiments with modern alternative methods. The roadmap is part of the EU’s Chemicals Action Plan.
The roadmap includes 22 actions divided into three main areas. The first area focuses on reducing and replacing the use of animals in safety testing.
More than 30 recommendations have been proposed to help replace, reduce or refine animal testing for chemicals, pesticides, medicines and food additives.
The second area focuses on research and innovation. The European Commission wants to support the development of new technologies, including artificial intelligence and large data systems, to improve non-animal testing methods.
The third area focuses on cooperation between governments, scientists, businesses and international regulators to help introduce and accept alternative testing methods around the world.
Response to public pressure
The roadmap follows a commitment made by the European Commission in 2023 after the European Citizens’ Initiative “Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe Without Animal Testing” received public support.
Animal testing is still widely used in chemical safety assessments to help determine whether products are safe before they reach the market. However, scientists have developed a growing number of alternative methods that can provide information without using live animals.
The European Commission said these alternatives can often be faster, less expensive and more supportive of innovation.
Animal welfare groups have welcomed the announcement as an important step toward reducing the use of animals in scientific testing.
The Commission said it will begin implementing the roadmap immediately in cooperation with EU member states, agencies and stakeholders.
A high-level conference is planned for 2029 to review progress and discuss the future use of non-animal testing methods across European legislation.
Timeline roadmap
2026: Starting the plan
New team: A “Roadmap Steering Team” will be created by mid-2026 to lead the project.
Workshops: Special meetings will happen for experts working with pesticides and biocides.
Public tracking: By the end of 2026, the Commission will launch a public dashboard so everyone can see the progress.
Training: They will finish a map of all available training resources for scientists.
2027: Building tools
Regulatory report: The first report on what the rules need to change will be published.
Information hub: A new website (hub) will be ready to give the public and experts information about animal-free methods.
Global cooperation: A workshop with countries outside the EU will start discussions on international rules.
AI tool: An AI-powered tool will be ready to help researchers find better testing methods.
2028 – 2029: Measuring results
Outside the EU: By 2028, the first report on animal testing used outside the EU for European products will be finished.
New laws: By the end of 2029, the Commission aims to finish the legal changes needed for short-term actions.
High-Level meeting: In 2029, a major conference will happen to check if the plan is working and decide on the next steps.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: theanimalreader.com
