News Postings

The European Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM) is inviting public comments on its latest recommendation concerning the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake cytotoxicity test method. The deadline for receipt of these comments is January 31, 2013. The assay was recently validated by EURL ECVAM for its possible use to support the identification of substances not requiring classification for acute oral toxicity. The present recommendation outlines the assay's principle, its performance characteristics (based on available information and, mainly, evidence generated during validation) and the assay's limitations and makes recommendations for its implementation within an Integrated Testing Strategy (ITS) based primarily on non-animal approaches including structure-activity relationships and biokinetic modelling. The recommendation is based on the opinion of the ECVAM EURL Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) which peer-reviewed the validation study (the ESAC opinion is annexed to the recommendation document). Please visit the ECVAM website for downloadable pdfs of the relevant documents and instructions on how to submit your comments.