EU ‘making progress on phasing out animal tests’

Replacement of animal testing for chemical safety possible in the right conditions, chemicals agency says

Scientific institutions across Europe are moving increasingly towards using alternatives to animal testing in research to determine the safety of chemicals, the European Chemicals Agency has said.

The agency says there has been a “notable increase” in the use of in vitro methods over testing on live animals. These methods involve using cells, tissues or organs. The statement comes as European politicians face increasing pressure to debate animal research and as concerns mount in the research sector about the implications of that.