Stop REACH! No animal testing for a failed chemicals policy

On June 1 2007 European REACH Regulation entered in force. Previous chemicals, partially already being on the market before 1981, were to be tested on a common standard, again or in first instance. This order was given, though it was known, that millions of animals would die in toxicological tests under painful circumstances.

It seems, that at this point of time, nobody had the slightest notice how many animals really should be needed (sacrificed). There was merely some data that were about 30 000 chemical substances to be tested and that possible 10 to 20 millions of animals were needed.

On round tables there was juggling with charges of animals, as if it were pieces of wood or metal, but not lively creatures were concerned. Have once a time anyone of these politicians visited a lab and had a look of the terror and the pain these animals have to suffer day by day? It seems that in all the figures miscalculation was given in every respect.

“Up to the end of 2008 companies made 2,7 millions of so called pre-registrations with the authorities , based on 140.000 chemicals”, according “Sueddeutsche Zeitung”.

But now some experts estimate that, according to new calculations, about 50 millions of animals will be needed to find out whether poisons of daily life will influence fertility. Well-said, we only speak about numbers of the European area, as every company intending to enter the European market, have to undergo the REACH Regulation, too. In order of REACH, companies have now to deliver the proof that their products are harmless for the environment and humans.

Animal toxicity (poisoning) testing is cruel, scientifically unreliable and cannot be used to properly predict how human beings will react to a chemical. Critical differences in anatomy, physiology, metabolism and biochemistry make extrapolation of results from one species to another at best unreliable and at worst dangerous. Most of the animal tests still used today have never been scientifically validated to prove their accuracy, relevance and repeatability, and some have even failed retrospective validation.

By contrast non-animal (in vitro) alternative techniques are more ethical, reliable and often faster and cheaper to perform. Animal experiments should be eliminated from the testing regimes that will result from the European Commission's proposed EU Chemicals Policy, and replaced with in vitro alternatives. As part of this policy, massively increased funding for the fast-track development and validation of priority in vitro tests is key. This would both encourage innovation and benefit all stakeholders concerned with human safety, environmental protection, animal welfare and consumer confidence.

The committee Antidote Europe elaborated revolutionary alternative technologies. They claim all chemical substances can be tested without animals. The internationally renowned physicist / biophysicist Professor Claude Reiss and his team developed a Scientific Toxicology Program. It is based on human cell cultures and DNA Chips. It is cheaper, faster and without animal suffering.

Before the adoption of REACH Regulation the British Association BUAV - "British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection" and the ECEAE - "European Coalition to End Animal Experiments" make public that it is possible that all required chemical tests may undertake without animals.