National Toxicology Program

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ICCVAM was established to facilitate the review and adoption of scientifically valid safety testing methods designed to protect human health, animal health and the environment while refining, reducing or replacing animal use where feasible. Since ICCVAM's establishment, Federal regulatory agencies have approved or endorsed seventeen alternative methods, including ten alternative test methods based on technical evaluations by ICCVAM. This includes 12 non-animal methods, and five methods that use fewer animals and reduce the potential for discomfort. Several of the methods can be used for the four most commonly conducted safety tests, including tests to identify substances that can cause poisoning (acute oral toxicity), irritation and chemical burns to the skin or eyes, and allergic skin reactions. Use of these accepted methods will significantly reduce and refine the use of animals for regulatory testing.

The documents listed below provide more information on regulatory acceptance of alternative toxicological methods in the United States and internationally.