ECVAM sets out 2006 cosmetics research

Published: 4-Jun-2006


ECVAM, the European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods, is preparing a spate of studies and reports to be released in the next six months, in its quest to devise alternatives to cosmetics animal testing. Documents from its parent, the EU's Joint Research Centre show ECVAM will later this year release:

• Background review documents on in vitro methods for eye irritation

• An assessment of the validity of the micronucleus test in vitro

• A report on the role of skin absorption in skin sensitisation hazard assessment

• A report on using gold standards in test validation

• An interim validation study on endocrine disruption

This work follows the restructuring of ECVAM's services, with scientists organised around the animal tests it wants to replace. These are the five key areas related to topical toxicity (skin and eye irritation, phototoxicity, percutaneous absorption, skin corrosion), systemic toxicity (acute and chronic toxicity), carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity and sensitisation (skin and respiratory).

Existing projects include: ReProTect, developing in vitro test strategies predicting risks to mammal reproduction; Predictomics, focusing on long-term human toxicity; Sens-it-iv on developing in vitro testing regarding skin and respiratory allergens; and Pulmonet on acute and chronic lung toxicity and pulmonary damage.

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