EPA Targets Major Reduction in Animal Testing
The agency will significantly reduce mammalian animal testing in chemical safety evaluations and expand the use of alternative scientific methods.
EPA said it is recommending efforts to significantly reduce the use of mammalian animal testing in chemical safety evaluations, with a long-term goal of eliminating most such testing by 2035 through expanded use of alternative scientific methods.
The agency said its Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention will prioritize scientifically validated non-animal approaches while continuing to meet statutory and regulatory requirements. EPA acknowledged that limited animal testing will still be required in some cases to fulfill legal obligations.
EPA said it will expand collaboration with federal partners, researchers, and stakeholders to accelerate the validation and adoption of alternative methods.
The agency highlighted recent actions, including the launch of its first laboratory animal adoption program in 2025 at a Research Triangle Park facility and a substantial reduction in rodents housed at EPA animal care facilities.
EPA also reported increased use of non-animal methods in chemical evaluations, including recent cancer assessments for dibutyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. In addition, the agency developed a non-animal framework for identifying skin irritation and corrosion hazards under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Looking ahead, EPA said it will continue expanding the use of New Approach Methods (NAMs)—such as in vitro testing, in chemico assays, and computational models—in chemical hazard and risk assessments. The agency said these methods can provide faster, more reproducible, and more cost-effective data while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
