ECHA calls for information to avoid unnecessary animal testing

11-23-2009: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is calling for information on the health effects of a specific chemical substance by 24 December 2009. This is a public consultation foreseen by the REACH Regulation for testing proposals involving animals. The aim of the call is to give anyone the opportunity to submit relevant data with a view to make sure that animal testing is only conducted as a last resort when the available information is not sufficient to assess the potentially harmful effects of this chemical on human health or the environment.

The chemical is a new substance with the name of “Polysulfo {5-hydroxy-1-naphthalen-2-yl-[4-[4-(2-sulfatoethyl-sulfonyl)-phenyl]diazenyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid}, alkali metal salt”. The registrant has, as permitted by the legislation, claimed certain details of the chemical confidential and so they cannot be made public. Based on the available data the registrant has classified the substance as an irritant and skin sensitiser. The testing proposal from the registrant concerns information on genetic toxicity in vivo, i.e. an experimental test involving vertebrate laboratory animals.

The testing proposal will be evaluated by ECHA in the coming months, together with any information resulting from this call. On the basis of the evaluation ECHA will propose a decision to accept, amend or to reject the testing proposal.