The European Commission’s forthcoming Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing is expected to be a key milestone in modernising chemical safety assessment in Europe. It aims to provide a clear, science‑based framework to support the transition towards non‑animal approaches, while maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment.
At the Helsinki Chemicals Forum, Katia Lacasse, Cefic Senior Advisor and Industry Co‑Chair of the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA), joined a panel alongside representatives from the European Commission (DG GROW), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and Eurogroup for Animals. The discussion explored how scientific advances in non‑animal methods can be translated into credible, accepted and globally aligned regulatory practice.
Through its long‑standing engagement in EPAA, Cefic has actively supported the Commission’s work by contributing scientific expertise and helping bridge the gap between research and regulatory use. EPAA, a public‑private partnership between the European Commission and industry, provides a platform to accelerate the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
The transition to non‑animal methods raises complex questions, including how to build confidence in integrated approaches, manage uncertainty in regulatory decision‑making and ensure international harmonisation. Speaking from the panel, Katia Lacasse underlined the importance of clarity and predictability:
“The momentum around the Roadmap reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the transition away from animal testing. To make this shift meaningful, we now need a clear and actionable framework that helps regulators and industry build confidence in non‑animal approaches, manage uncertainty in decision‑making and align expectations across sectors and regions.”
-Katia Lacasse, Cefic Senior Advisor and Industry Co‑Chair of the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA)
Looking ahead, Cefic expects the Roadmap to support:
- a realistic, science‑based assessment of current capabilities and limitations of non‑animal methods;
- clear short‑, medium‑ and long‑term objectives to guide research, validation and regulatory uptake;
- governance and coordination mechanisms that enable consistent application across EU chemicals legislation;
- and early engagement with international partners, including through the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD), to support global harmonisation and avoid duplicative testing.
For Cefic, timely delivery of the Roadmap is important as a foundation for coordinated implementation. A well‑structured Roadmap can help identify where non‑animal approaches are already fit for purpose, where further work is needed, and how regulatory practices can evolve transparently and predictably.