Alternatives to Animal Testing

UK Parliament Sets 3 June 2026 Debate On Draft Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The UK government has laid draft regulations amending the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to restate EU-derived rules on animal research and embed new severity classification and reporting provisions, with Commons committee debate set for early June 2026. Organisations holding or applying for project and establishment licences under ASPA should review how the clarified application content, severity categorisation framework, and six-month publication deadlines for project summaries and retrospective assessments could affect future study design, governance and compliance planning.

25 May 2026, 18:20legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU EESC Adopts Opinion on Life Science Strategy and Rare-Disease Research Infrastructures

In February 2026 the European Economic and Social Committee adopted an exploratory opinion calling for an integrated EU life-science strategy that prioritises rare-disease research, genomic data infrastructures and faster market access for advanced therapies. While non-binding, this signals political momentum for revising frameworks such as the European Health Data Space, the AI Act and key food-chain regulations, with potential future impacts on approval pathways, data-use rules and innovation incentives for pharma, biotech and related supply chains.

25 May 2026, 15:36eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

European Medicines Agency (EMA) Hosts Webinar on NAMs in Ecotoxicology – In Silico Approaches for Acute Fish Toxicity

The European Medicines Agency is hosting an Eco-NAMs webinar on 28 May 2026 showcasing in silico methods to replace acute fish toxicity tests in regulatory ecotoxicology. This signals growing regulatory interest in NAM-based ecotoxicity assessments, so R&D and regulatory teams should track how these approaches may shape future environmental risk testing strategies and data expectations.

24 May 2026, 20:33ema.europa.euEuropean UnionNetherlands

Australia TGA Webinar On Proposed Reforms To Sunscreen Regulation

Australia’s medicines regulator has released a webinar and slide deck explaining consultation proposals to tighten sunscreen testing, labelling, cosmetic SPF claims and manufacturing guidance, with feedback invited from industry and other stakeholders. If implemented, these options could materially raise expectations on SPF evidence, laboratory accreditation and product labelling for sunscreen sponsors and manufacturers in Australia, so teams should review the proposals and prepare for tighter oversight.

23 May 2026, 19:39tga.gov.auAustralia

Taiwan MOENV Issues Non-Animal Testing Guidance for Skin Sensitisation Under Taiwan REACH

In May 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment issued new and updated guidance allowing chemical registrants to use non-animal alternative methods for skin sensitisation, skin irritation/corrosion and eye irritation testing under Taiwan’s chemical registration regime. This clarifies how OECD-aligned NAMs will be accepted in practice, reducing animal testing burdens while preserving compliance for future registrations and encouraging earlier investment in validated methods for Taiwan-bound products.

20 May 2026, 17:53tcscachemreg.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

OECD Opens First Commenting Round On Draft DRP For In Vitro Mammalian Cell Genotoxicity Methods (γH2AX, pH3)

The OECD has opened a public consultation from 15 May to 26 June 2026 on a draft Detailed Review Paper assessing in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays based on the γH2AX and pH3 phosphorylated histone biomarkers. This review sits within the OECD Test Guidelines Programme and may shape future genotoxicity test guidelines, so companies relying on in vitro genotoxicity testing should track its outcomes and consider providing input via their National Coordinators.

20 May 2026, 07:09oecd.orgGlobal

Netherlands (RIVM) Describes New PARC NAMs Project for Regulatory Developmental Immunotoxicity Assessment

RIVM’s publications catalogue now links to an open‑access *Frontiers in Toxicology* review describing a four‑year PARC project (launched May 2025) to modernise **developmental immunotoxicity (DIT)** assessment in European chemicals regulation using **new approach methodologies (NAMs)**.[^1^](https://www.rivm.nl/publicaties/new-approach-methodologies-nams-to-support-regulatory-assessment-of-developmental#:~:text=New%20approach%20methodologies%20(NAMs)%20to%20support%20regulatory%20assessment%20of%20developmental%20immunotoxicity)[^2^](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2026.1740390/full#:~:text=The%20current%20testing%20strategy%20for%20the%20assessment%20of%20developmental%20immunotoxicity) The project aims to build a human‑relevant DIT knowledge base (including a **Human Immune System Development Map**) and to develop and evaluate NAMs—such as in vitro TDAR assays, advanced HSC/iPSC‑derived immune cell models, and zebrafish/stickleback systems—to support regulatory decisions like screening, prioritisation and read‑across and, over time, reduce reliance on animal testing.[^2^](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2026.1740390/full#:~:text=This%20project%20comprises%2014%20partner%20institutions) For compliance teams, this is an important **regulatory‑science signal** on how EU authorities and PARC partners expect future DIT assessments to evolve, but it does **not yet change any legal obligations or testing requirements.**

18 May 2026, 15:09rivm.nlNetherlands

US FDA Releases Instructional Video For Expanded Decision Tree Food Chemical Toxicity Screening Tool

FDA has published a practical video guide and detailed web explainer on its Expanded Decision Tree tool, which classifies food-related chemicals by chronic toxicity and Threshold of Toxicological Concern to prioritise regulatory review. This strengthens non-binding, data-driven screening methods in FDA’s food chemical safety programme and signals greater reliance on New Approach Methods and TTC-based prioritisation when planning future assessments and submissions.

15 May 2026, 15:08fda.govUnited States

OECD Call for Assays on 3D Liver Toxicity Models for Regulatory Chemical Assessment

OECD has launched a public call for assay developers to submit structured information on 3D liver toxicity models to support a Detailed Review Paper on their suitability for regulatory chemical safety assessment, with responses accepted from 15 April to 18 May 2026. This consultation advances non-animal testing approaches and may shape future OECD test guidelines that regulators worldwide use to evaluate industrial chemicals, pesticides, biocides, and cosmetics.

14 May 2026, 18:40oecd.orgGlobal

South Korea Establishes Public–Private Task Force to Promote Animal-Free Chemical Hazard Assessment

In May 2026 South Korea created a 22-member public–private task force to accelerate animal-free methods for chemical hazard assessment and develop a national new approach methodologies (NAMs) strategy through 2035. This signals a strategic shift in Korean chemicals regulation toward validated non-animal data, so companies relying on traditional animal studies for regulatory hazard assessments should anticipate future legislative changes, new guidance, and capacity-building initiatives favouring NAMs.

14 May 2026, 09:55mcee.go.krSouth Korea

Minnesota House Introduces Bills on Tire Producer Stewardship and Severe Animal Testing Ban (HF 5129, HF 5131)

On 11 May 2026 the Minnesota House introduced bills to create a producer-funded tire recycling programme and to prohibit certain severe animal research procedures, both currently at first-reading stage. If enacted, these measures would tighten waste and research governance in Minnesota, requiring tire producers to finance end-of-life management and research organisations to redesign or relocate high-pain animal studies.

12 May 2026, 18:14revisor.mn.govUnited States

ICCS Makes Skin Sensitisation NAMs Best Practice Guidance and Webinar Recording Available

International industry consortium ICCS has made a best practice guide and recorded webinar on non-animal skin sensitisation assessment for cosmetic ingredients publicly available, with UK trade association CTPA signposting companies to these resources. While not legally binding, this guidance is emerging as a de facto standard for NAM-based skin sensitisation workflows, so R&D and product safety teams may wish to align their safety assessment practices with it ahead of wider regulatory adoption.

11 May 2026, 11:45iccs-cosmetics.orgGlobal

European Commission Conference On Animal-Free Chemical Safety Assessment Roadmap Implementation

In June 2026 the European Commission and EPAA will host a three-day conference in Brussels to advance implementation of the EU roadmap to phase out animal testing in chemical safety assessments. The event will influence how regulators and industry use safe-space dialogues, AI tools and EPAA collaboration to accelerate regulatory acceptance of non-animal methods over the next five years.

9 May 2026, 18:56single-market-economy.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

UN Experts Propose Revisions To GHS Chapter 1.3 On Non-Animal Methods

UN experts have proposed revising GHS chapter 1.3 to introduce general, non-endpoint-specific guidance on the use of non-animal test, non-test and defined approaches for health and environmental hazard classification, for discussion at the July 2026 Sub-Committee session. If agreed and later incorporated into the GHS, this will embed a harmonised framework for in vitro, in chemico, in silico and weight-of-evidence approaches, signalling wider regulatory acceptance of non-animal evidence and influencing how companies design testing strategies and justify classifications globally.

8 May 2026, 08:50docs.un.orgGlobal

ILMERAC Hosts Expert Dialogue on EU Roadmap to Phase Out Animal Testing

ILMERAC is hosting an online expert dialogue on 18 May 2026 to discuss the European Commission’s roadmap for phasing out animal testing in chemical safety assessment and the transition to new approach methodologies. While not a formal regulatory step, this event signals the Commission’s direction on NAMs and offers stakeholders early insight into how future chemicals risk assessment requirements for food and feed may evolve.

8 May 2026, 06:47bezpecnostpotravin.czEuropean Union

UK Parliament Bill Would Ban Animals in Medical Research From 2035

A UK Private Member’s Bill would require regulations to ban the use of animals in medical research from 1 January 2035 and mandate non-animal methods for testing medicines and medical devices. If progressed, this would force a substantial redesign of UK preclinical testing and regulatory evidence requirements, accelerating investment in non-animal methodologies and potentially disrupting existing R&D pipelines ahead of the 2035 cut-off.

5 May 2026, 06:53publications.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

ECHA Opens REACH Testing Proposal Consultation on 1,2-Diaminotoluene, Propoxylated

In April 2026, ECHA opened a REACH testing proposal consultation on 1,2-diaminotoluene, propoxylated, seeking third-party data on repeated-dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity before conducting new vertebrate studies. Companies using this substance or its close analogue should review existing data and consider submitting evidence by the June 2026 deadline to influence testing requirements and anticipate potential future classification or risk-management actions.

3 May 2026, 09:13echa.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Government Confirms Removal of Rabbit Pyrogen Test and Clarifies MHRA/Home Office Policy

In April 2026, UK parliamentary written answers confirmed that the rabbit pyrogen test was removed from the British Pharmacopoeia in 2025 and set out MHRA and Home Office positions that restrict its use in the UK to tightly controlled, exceptional cases for non-UK regulatory requirements. This reinforces a wider shift towards non-animal testing methods for medicines and devices, signalling that companies should plan for alternative pyrogen and preclinical testing strategies and expect closer scrutiny of any remaining rabbit-based protocols.

3 May 2026, 09:08qna.files.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

ECHA Testing Proposal Consultation For Reaction Mass of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers (EC 935-340-7)

In late April 2026, ECHA launched a REACH testing proposal consultation for Reaction mass of oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (EC 935-340-7), seeking data on repeated-dose oral and developmental toxicity endpoints. Registrants and downstream users should review available toxicology data and consider submissions by mid-June 2026 to avoid unnecessary vertebrate testing and influence future regulatory decisions on the substance.

3 May 2026, 07:33echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Publishes REACH Testing Proposal for Tall-Oil Pitch

ECHA has opened a REACH testing proposal consultation for Tall‑oil pitch (EC 232‑414‑4; CAS 8016‑81‑7), covering long-term aquatic, repeated-dose oral and reproductive/developmental toxicity endpoints with third-party data due by 12 June 2026. This signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of Tall‑oil pitch under REACH, so companies using or supplying it should quickly assess available study data, engage with the consultation, and anticipate possible future classification or risk-management actions.

3 May 2026, 07:32echa.europa.euEuropean Union