New guideline reduces animal testing and protects from allergies caused by chemicals

ECHA has published advice to registrants on how to reliably combine different sources of alternative data when assessing skin sensitisation of chemicals. This reduces the need to test on animals, while protecting people from allergies. The advice is based on a recent OECD guideline.

Helsinki, 13 October 2021 – The OECD guideline informs REACH registrants on how to reliably combine different sources of non-animal data on skin sensitisation properties of their substances. It will help companies to reduce animal testing while ensuring that people are protected from allergies caused by chemicals.   

ECHA has now published advice on how to use the guideline and advance the use of non-animal test methods. This is the first guideline outlining how to use in silico tools (using computer simulation) such as the QSAR Toolbox to assess skin sensitisation.