In 2019, the EPA announced an ambitious goal: eliminate mammalian testing for chemical safety assessment by 2035. We asked our expert community to evaluate the feasibility of relying solely on non-animal methods (NAMs) for safety testing of chemicals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals by 2035.
The response was decisive: 42% of experts considered this timeline “definitely not feasible,” with only 8% rating it as “highly feasible.” While some experts see potential for NAMs in specific endpoints, the consensus suggests that completely replacing animal testing within this timeframe faces significant technical and scientific challenges.
These findings raise important questions about balancing animal welfare concerns with the need for robust safety assessment methods. The data suggests that while the direction toward NAMs is promising, the proposed timeline may need reassessment.