EU publishes long-awaited Roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessment

The EU has released its Roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessment, following public support from the "Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics" campaign. The Roadmap outlines 22 actions and over 30 recommendations to accelerate the development and adoption of non-animal testing methods. The focus is on establishing a new scientific framework to transition to non-animal safety assessment of chemicals by 2029, with a dedicated governance structure overseeing implementation.

The Roadmap is structured around three pillars: speeding up the development and uptake of non-animal methods, positioning Europe as a global leader in next-generation safety testing, and increasing EU and international collaboration to promote animal-free testing strategies. The EU aims to monitor progress through measurable indicators and a public dashboard, with ongoing engagement from stakeholders to ensure a healthier and safer future without animal suffering.