Laboratory Animals

Alternative Methods

The Commission considers that the most pragmatic approach to reduce experiments on animals is by the introduction of alternative methods that eventually replace animal testing (Replacement alternatives). Whenever replacement is not possible, all efforts should be made to apply those methods which use fewer animals (Reduction alternatives) and which cause least harm to the animals (Refinement alternatives). Newly developed alternative methods have to be validated in order to assess their relevance and reliability. Subsequently they can be made available for regulatory purposes.

In 1991, the Commission set up the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, ECVAM, to promote the validation of alternative methods. ECVAM is part of the Institute for Health and Consumer protection of Directorate General Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. One of the main tasks of ECVAM is to validate alternative methods that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in scientific procedures. The work carried out by ECVAM is essential to reduce animal experiments in the EU.

Useful links

The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, ECVAM, of DG Joint Research Centre of the European Commission

Alternative Methods Database by ECVAM