This European Union Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing, part of the JRC (Joint Research Center), is tasked with coordinating and carrying out validation studies of alternative methods for assessing the safety of chemical products, disseminating information and sharing knowledge between disciplines and sectors, and promoting alternative methods.
To learn more: click here
2025 Annual Report: Presentation and access to the report
The report highlights the progress made by the EU in replacing, reducing, and performing refinement (3Rs) of animal testing through new methodological approaches (NMAs), both in research and in the regulatory field. From organ-on-a-chip platforms to AI-driven multi-omic modeling, next-generation tools are paving the way for safety assessments that are more relevant to humans, while reducing reliance on animal testing. Horizon Europe clusters and initiatives such as VHP4Safety and PARC are accelerating the adoption of computational models and advanced in vitro systems across all sectors.
2024 Annual Report: Presentation and access to the report
Business report 2023 : click here
Business report 2022 : click here
Business report 2021 : click here
Activity report 2020 : click here
ECVAM manages and maintains several databases on alternative methods: see here
JRC Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science: held annually in Ispra, Italy, for students and young scientists interested in non-animal approaches: “A unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field, share knowledge and experience with peers, and expand your professional network—all while having fun!”
ECVAM has also launched a “Virtual Lab, “ an open-access educational resource using virtual reality to support the teaching of the 3Rs to high school students. The tool aims to promote alternatives to animal testing in an interactive way: click here
2020: EURL ECVAM Recommendation on the Production of Non-Animal Antibodies: click here
ECVAM’s Scientific Advisory Board has reviewed the available evidence and issued an opinion on the scientific validity of antibodies produced using non-animal technologies. The review focused on non-animal antibodies generated by phage technology, the most mature and already widely used technology. The opinion highlights the ability of existing animal-free technologies to produce affinity reagents of equal or superior quality (purity, activity, specificity, affinity, stability, reproducibility) to that offered by antibodies produced using conventional animal-based methods.
Consequently, the Recommendation urges end-users and other stakeholders to recognize the scientific validity of non-animal-derived antibodies, and to stop using animals for antibody development and production.
“Every year in the EU, nearly a million animals are used for antibody generation and production, despite the availability of technologies that do not require the use of animals. Not only is this number high, but the procedures employed often cause severe suffering. The Recommendation proposes concrete actions for key players, including end-users, commercial suppliers, authorities, research funding bodies and journal publishers.”
Text of the recommendation : click here
