AREAS OF EXPERTISE ADDITIONAL AREAS OF EXPERTISE ■ US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US National Toxicology Program Testing A PISC member achieved significant reductions in duplicative testing for the EPA’s high production volume chemical-testing programme, helping to establish the preferential use of non- animal methods for other government testing programmes. 1 ■ Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) A PISC member published a tiered-testing strategy designed to significantly reduce animal testing in endocrine disruptor screening that has been largely adopted by the EPA in its EDSP21 Work Plan. In response to the PISC member’s submissions, the EPA has also accepted existing data in lieu of requiring new in vivo tests for some chemicals in the EDSP. 2 ■ Vaccine Potency Testing A PISC member petitioned the US Department of Agriculture for acceptance of validated in vitro methods in place of challenge assays and prompted the agency to accept data from humane methods while deleting protocols for obsolete animal assays. PISC works on this issue internationally and disseminates information on approved non-animal techniques to vaccine manufacturers. ■ Nanotechnology PISC scientists work with international regulatory bodies and participate in expert panels to develop and standardise in vitro nanotechnology testing strategies and implement these non- animal approaches. ■ Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation PISC members convinced the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to issue guidance reducing duplicative testing under REACH and detailing ways in which chemical manufacturers can avoid animal-based tests. PISC members continue to work with companies and file ECHA appeals to ensure in vivo tests are avoided wherever possible. ■ Shellfish Toxin Testing A PISC member funded the licensing needed to implement a more humane method to test for toxins in shellfish consumed by humans. This method replaces the use of a lethal challenge test using mice. ■ Target Animal Batch Safety Testing (TABST) Following recommendations from PISC members, the UK Home Office eliminated barriers to ending TABST. PISC members obtained the deletion of TABST from all veterinary monographs in the European Pharmacopoeia. ■ Dermal Corrosion Testing Following a PISC member’s rule-making petition to allow and promote available in vitro corrosion testing options without the need for additional permits, the US Department of Transportation replaced outdated information on rabbit use with new humane guidance. PISC ensures that information regarding the use of non-animal tests is accessible to all audiences. In addition, PISC members publish technical briefs and articles in peer-reviewed journals and routinely develop presentations for scientific conferences and workshops. Media content relating to these activities is often published in national and trade media. These documents and presentations are available at PISCLTD.org.uk/scipubs. PETA International Science Consortium, Ltd. Society Building, 8 All Saints Street London N1 9RL United Kingdom +44 (0) 207 837 6327 • [email protected] PETA International Science Consortium, Ltd. (PISC), is registered in England and Wales as company number 08312511. PUBLIC AWARENESS CONTACT US Cover image: © iStock.com/luchschen 1 P Bishop, J Manuppello, C Willett and J Sandler, “Animal Use and Lessons Learned in the U.S. High Production Volume Chemicals Challenge Program”, Environmental Health Perspectives 120.12 (2012): 1631–39. 2 C Willett, P Bishop and K Sullivan, “Application of an Integrated Testing Strategy to the U.S. EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program”, Toxicological Sciences 123.1 (2011): 15–25. PETA International Science Consortium, Ltd. (PISC), promotes and funds non-animal research methods and coordinates the scientific and regulatory expertise of its members: PETA UK PETA US PETA Netherlands PETA India PETA Germany PETA France PETA Australia PETA Asia