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Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday that the Trump administration is moving to reduce animal testing by proposing 13 new alternative methods for evaluating chemicals and pesticides.
The EPA said the initiative updates its list of approved alternative testing methods used in chemical safety reviews conducted under the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
“When the Trump Administration makes a commitment, we deliver,” Zeldin said in a statement. “With today’s announcement, we’re accelerating the shift to modern, gold standard science – without the use of animal testing – by using new, innovative methods to review chemicals.”
According to the agency, the alternatives are intended to replace or reduce the use of laboratory animals in toxicity and safety studies while maintaining scientific standards for evaluating potential health risks.
The EPA also announced changes aimed at simplifying the process for researchers, companies and other stakeholders to submit proposed alternative testing methods for consideration in future chemical and pesticide assessments.
“By broadening high-quality alternatives and inviting strong new candidates, we can deliver faster, more protective decisions while reducing animal testing,” Zeldin said.
Among the newly proposed methods are tests that use reconstructed human cell models to evaluate eye irritation hazards and a three-dimensional human tissue model designed to assess phototoxicity, or skin reactions caused by exposure to light-sensitive chemicals.
The agency described the proposals as part of a broader effort to modernize chemical testing practices by using advanced laboratory and computational technologies.
Zeldin previously announced plans to move forward with eliminating animal testing in January.
“I’m absolutely committed to making sure EPA gets back on track with the historic goal set out during President Trump’s first term in office. Unlike the previous administration, the Trump EPA will not delay scientific progress on developing alternatives to animal testing. We will pursue this goal while adhering to the law and the highest quality scientific standards,” Zeldin wrote at the time.
