On September 10, 2019  EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a directive that prioritizes efforts to reduce animal testing. The memorandum calls for the agency to:

• reduce its requests for, and funding of, mammal studies by 30 percent by 2025, and
• eliminate all mammal study requests and funding by 2035.

Any mammal studies requested or funded by EPA after 2035 will require administrator approval on a case-by-case basis.

It directs the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the Office of Research and Development to prioritize ongoing efforts, and to direct existing resources, toward additional activities that will demonstrate measurable impacts in the reduction of animal testing while ensuring protection of human health and the environment.

• New Approach Methods Work Plan for Reducing the Use of Animals in Chemical Testing
• Second Annual Conference on the State of the Science on Development and Use of New Approach Methods (NAMs) for Chemical Safety Testing
• Administrator Memo Prioritizing Efforts to Reduce Animal Testing, September 10, 2019