EU appraises alternatives to animal testing

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Bob van den Bos hosted a seminar in Brussels on May 7 on "Alternatives to Animal Testing: Opportunities and Limitations in the Regulatory Framework." It was held in the light of proposed new regulations on chemical safety in the European Union (EU), formally presented by the European Commission on May 7. These regulations would require companies to do more to assess and manage the risks of chemicals they produce or use, removing the burden of proof about chemical safety from public authorities and imposing it on industry.

Van den Bos told The Scientist, "The proposed new regulations will lead to a substantial increase in animal tests: between 10 million, according to the commission, and 22 million according to animal welfare organizations. The subject of alternatives to animal testing must be given more attention within the EU. We also need more funding at national...