Roadmap that could affect millions of animals used in experiments published

The long-awaited roadmap marks a clear shift: the focus is moving from whether animal testing should be replaced to how this is actually to be achieved. This means that Member States now need to follow the roadmap and take responsibility for investing in and developing the animal-free methods that will replace current tests. 

The roadmap forms part of the European Commission’s response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics’, which was signed by 1.2 million concerned EU citizens.  Engagement on this issue has also been reinforced by widely publicised footage from a laboratory in the UK, where restrained animals are subjected to painful toxicity tests – practices that remain legal within the EU as well. 

Animal free methods exist and are developing rapidly 

Science has made significant advances. Animal-free methods based on human biology can today, in many cases, provide better and more relevant results than animal testing. These are methods that not only have the potential to reduce animal suffering, but also to deliver more accurate outcomes. 

The EU’s roadmap is therefore an important step. It shows that progress is already underway and that the transition now needs to accelerate  from planning to implementation. 

EU measures 

While the publication of the roadmap is a big step towards a future without animals being subjected to experiments and tests, it all depends on how the Member States welcomes the roadmap.  

Since the roadmap is not a legislation, it is crucial that all Member States take action and  implements the roadmap to actually phases out animal testing in chemical safety assessments.  

Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.