This strategy overcomes the limitations of a one-to-one replacement of an animal test that cannot always give a complete assessment of a chemical’s characteristics.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
has approved a new testing guideline to assess a chemical’s ability
to cause an allergic reaction on the skin, without the use of
animals. This is the first time that such an alternative approach to
replace an animal test has been approved by an international group.
When put into practice, this alternative will spare countless
animals from enormous pain and suffering.
The guideline outlines a testing strategy that relies on a Defined
Approach (DA), in which a specific combination of non-animal test
methods is used to generate data that is then compared to known
values and analyzed. This strategy overcomes the limitations of a
one-to-one replacement of an animal test that cannot always give a
complete assessment of a chemical’s characteristics. The development
of these guidelines was led by the U.S. agency, ICVAAM, as well as
the European Commission and Health Canada, and with the support of a
nominated group of experts.
The OECD is an international group consisting of 38 countries,
including the U.S., that provides a platform for industry, science
organizations, and government agencies to share ideas and
technology, work together to solve similar problems, and coordinate
international practices and policies. Under the OECD’s bylaws,
member countries are required to follow the organization’s
recommendations and approvals, so its guidance has far-reaching
impact.
For more, visit OECD Test Guidelines for Chemicals.