PISC Statement on REACH Annex inclusion of EORGTS

Author: Jessica Sandler, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Three years after the extended one-generation reproductive toxicity test (EORGTS) – which has the potential to halve the number of animals used in reproductive tests – was accepted by the OECD, the EORGTS has been incorporated into the REACH Annexes. At the same time, however, the REACH death toll on animals is set to skyrocket as the European commission considers 200 dossiers that include reproductive toxicity tests that will require a minimum of 260,000 animals. To minimise this cost in animal suffering – as required by the REACH legislation — it is essential that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Commission adopt a standard policy that does not require the breeding of a second generation of animals or testing for developmental immunotoxicity or neurotoxicity endpoints. Because reproductive toxicity testing is the most animal intensive test required for REACH, it is imperative that the European Commission and industry urgently invest in the development of alternatives to reproductive toxicity testing and that ECHA allow the use of existing alternatives as part of a weight-of-evidence approach.

Gilly Stoddart PhD | Associate Director
PETA International Science Consortium, Ltd. (PISC)
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8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL
Tel: +44 (0)20 7837 6327
www.piscltd.org.uk
PETA International Science Consortium, Ltd. – a company with its registered address at Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL. Registered in England and Wales as company number 08312511