EPA Announces Directive, Funding to Reduce Animal Testing

In a September 10 press release, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a directive to prioritize efforts to reduce animal testing. The directive, issued by EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, calls for reducing mammal study requests and funding 30% by 2025 and completely eliminating them by 2035.

Wheeler also announced $4.25 million in funding to five universities to research the development and use of alternative test methods and strategies that reduce, refine, and/or replace vertebrate animal testing. Studies funded include in vitro models to test for developmental and reproductive toxicants, neurotoxins, and toxicity of complex environmental mixtures.