Tool to Increase Transparency, Cut Out Bureaucratic Delays
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Humane Society International-Europe today congratulated the European Commission for launching a new online tool that will allow the public to better monitor the European Union's progress in implementing animal testing alternatives. More than 2.4 million rabbits, rodents, dogs and other animals are used in toxicity tests and drug development each year in the EU alone.
The TSAR website, or Tracking System for Alternative Test Method Review, Validation and Approval, outlines the steps involved in evaluating the scientific validity of a prospective alternative test method, and aims to provide up-to-date information regarding the status of each method from the time it enters the validation pipeline through final regulatory acceptance and uptake into EU legislation and test guidelines.
Today's move came in response to concerns raised by HSI-Europe that EU regulatory authorities have been too slow in accepting scientifically recognised alternatives to animal testing. This prompted Members of the European Parliament to pass a resolution demanding that new procedures be enacted to accelerate the acceptance and use of non-animal tests, with increased transparency and stakeholder involvement.
"Despite the EU's status as the world's leader in the development and validation of alternatives to animal testing, only a fraction of the validated methods available today have been formally recognised and accepted by government regulators," said Troy Seidle, HSI senior advisor for science policy. "TSAR will be an important tool for monitoring the EU regulatory acceptance process and ensuring that unjustified delays do not continue."
HSI-Europe provided extensive input to the European Commission over the development of TSAR, and will continue to work collaboratively to improve website's quality and breadth.
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Humane Society International is the global arm of the 10.5 million member-strong Humane Society of the United States. For more than a half-century, HSUS/HSI have been fighting for the protection of all animals worldwide through advocacy, education, and hands-on programmes. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—worldwide. On the web at hsi.org.
