Animal experimentation: the European Commission draws up its roadmap

This roadmap is in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative “Save cruelty – free cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without animal testing”, launched in 2021 in 22 countries. Spearheaded in France by One Voice, which was also a member of the organizing committee, it collected 1.2 million signatures in just one year.

This is a crucial step. On June 16 and 17, animal rights activists were once again present, as well as industry, academia and the authorities representatives for the third and final workshop organized by the European Chemicals Agency. Around the table, 550 people were united by a common objective: to put an end to animal experiments in chemical safety assessment, while ensuring a high level of protection.

Following the speeches, the European Commission outlined a roadmap for rapidly reducing the use of animals. 

In particular, it plans to:

• eliminate redundant tests on two species, generally rodents, then dogs, primates or pigs;
• actively promote alternative methods such as artificial intelligence or modeling;
• scientifically justify the number of animals used.

This action plan will require the prior creation of operational tools such as:

• a structure to coordinate its implementation;
• the identification of experiments that could be replaced in the short, medium and long term.

In the longer term, alternative methods will need to be developed, standardized and harmonized across the European Union.

Let’s not forget that millions of animals still suffer every year in laboratories throughout the European Union. Nearly 8.5 million uses recorded in 2022… To change course, the action of associations and citizens is essential. As part of these two coalitions, we’re in the best position to act as advocates on behalf of animal victims of experimentation. Together, let’s keep getting things moving!