Industry News
EUSAAT 2019 Registration Open!
March 27, 2019EUSAAT has opened registration for the 19th Annual Congress in Linz, 10-13 October 2019. The deadline for abstract submissions for both oral presentations and posters is 14 June 2019. Please read the guidelines for submissions. For young scientists, EUSAAT is providing travel support to attend the conference through the EUSAAT 2019 YSTA Program. The deadline to apply is 14 June 2019.
China’s NMPA Approves Two New In Vitro Methods For Regulating Cosmetics
March 22, 2019We are pleased to share that today China’s National Medical Products Association (NMPA) has approved new methods for the regulations of cosmetics. Among these are two in vitro methods: DPRA for skin sensitization and the Short Time Exposure (STE) assay for eye irritation. IIVS’ International Outreach Program introduced these methods during its training program with NMPA and we will continue to support their implementation in key laboratories.
Australian Bill Passed to End Animal Testing for Cosmetics
February 21, 2019Measures outlined in the Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017, passed by the Australian senate on 19 February, 2019, will apply to both imported and Australian produced chemicals for use as cosmetic ingredients. The commencement date is set for July 2020 although it is believed that the cosmetics industry will not need an entire year to implement changes to comply with the new law. Additionally, the bill includes funding for the development of alternative test methods. Read the full article.
JRC Summer School 2019 on Non-Animal Approaches in Science
November 26, 2018The JRC's EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL-ECVAM), is organizing a Summer School on May 21-24, 2019 at the JRC Ispra site in Italy. The “JRC Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science: Challenges and Future Directions" intends to share knowledge and experience on the latest non-animal approaches used in research and testing including in vitro methods and computational modelling. It is tailored for post-graduate students (PhD/Master) and young scientists, active in fields related to toxicology, biomedical research, alternative methods, exposure science, or risk assessment. Find out more, including how to apply and a draft agenda. Applications are now open until 15 January 2019.
Tobacco Companies Embracing In Vitro Toxicology
October 29, 2018The tobacco industry is facing increased testing requirements for e-cigarettes and other tobacco products that entered the market after Feb. 15, 2007. Companies hope in vitro tests that use human lung cells or tissues will be sufficient to show that their new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, significantly reduce harm and disease and benefit the population as a whole when compared with traditional cigarettes. Several of them are working with independent, third-party laboratories, including the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), to standardize in vitro assays for respiratory toxicology so that results from one lab can be easily compared with results from another. IIVS' Holger Behrsing discusses with C&EN.
China’s Compulsory Animal Testing for Cosmetics May Take More Than Five Years to Stop
October 17, 2018By Amanda Lim, Editor (Singapore) CosmeticsDesign-Asia.com
Although China has made significant strides in moving away from animal testing, its challenges suggest it may take more than five years for the country to completely stop compulsory animal-testing for cosmetics, says Hedy He, regulatory analyst and editor of ChemLinked: "In the short term a total ban on animal testing is unlikely given the lack of testing infrastructure and technical capacity shortcomings of the industry."The Overarching Issue
Among the many obstacles, the overarching one is the insufficient technical capacity China faces when it comes to cosmetic safety assessment. He describes the country's cosmetic industry as fragmented with a market share divided among small and medium enterprises with relatively weak technical capacity. "China's government must take a major role in assuring product quality and safety assurance." He said.The Botanic Factor
According to He, one of the biggest problems is that China's alternative methods are not developed enough: "The premise of stopping animal testing is the maturity of alternative methods. At present, China still faces many challenges in the research and application of alternative methods." Currently, China is still unsure on whether botanical substances can be tested by alternative methods. Of the 8783 kinds of cosmetic ingredients in the inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC), 30% of them are animal and plant extractions. As demand for botanical ingredients continue to grow in the market, so does the challenge to find alternative methods to safely test them, said He. He explained that botanicals present obstacles as they are complex and derived from a large and varied class of materials that includes extracts, hydrolysates, juices and powders. Additionally, He said colored substances can impede testing. These challenges are further complicated as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) testing guidelines do not align with China's own definition of cosmetics. This makes botanical ingredients, and many cosmetic products as well, unsuitable for in vitro assessment, explained He.Further Complications
Among the alternative methods in OECD guidelines are four approved skin models and two approved corneal models. However, the intellectual property rights for these are owned by overseas enterprises and only one type can be produced and purchased in China. To conduct these tests overseas would also not be viable as the biologically active in vitro reconstructed human models would be greatly affected by transportation. As for domestic models, according to He, they are hardly validated and accepted worldwide. The cherry on top of the already complicated situation is money, said He. "The strong method patent protection and special testing facilities will both increase the cost of testing and affect the promotion of alternative methods in China."Right Foot Forward
The good news is that China has been taking measures that suggest they are keen on stopping compulsory animal testing. To its credit, China has been investing heavily in new laboratories as well as training in non-animal testing. In collaboration with the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, a U.S. non-profit research and testing laboratory, Zhejiang FDA opened a non-animal testing laboratory in 2017. There, they have been training Chinese scientists annually in tests using reconstructed skin cells for testing. Recently, the China Working Group for the Validation of Alternative Methods was established to improve the validation and utilization of alternative testing methods. This year, four alternatives to animal testing were opened for public consultation and are currently considered draft proposals. Currently only two methods have been approved. The first was an alternative method for phototoxicity, which was approved two years after China waived animal testing on domestic non-special use cosmetics, such as nail polish. The second was a test for skin corrosion, which was approved just last year.Copyright - Unless otherwise stated this article is © 2018 - William Reed Business Media Ltd - All Rights Reserved.
Reproduced with permission of the Licensor through PLSclear.
Encouraging Regulatory Acceptance of Non-Animal Testing Methods Discussed at Annual SACATM Meeting
October 2, 2018Among the topics discussed at the annual Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) meeting held in early September was ways to encourage both regulators and regulated industry to use new approach methodologies (NAMs). The meeting brought together experts from academia, industry, and animal welfare organizations and the importance of collaboration among the different groups and geographical regions was a recurring theme. Learn more
California Passes Ban on Cosmetics Tested on Animals
October 1, 2018California now has the most stringent cruelty-free policies in the U.S., following Governor Jerry Brown's signing of the bill banning the sale of cosmetic products and ingredients tested on animals. The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act brings California in line with the EU and other global standards but still includes some exemptions for animal tests conducted to achieve compliance with other bodies, leaving some unanswered questions. Learn more
2018 Lush Prize Shortlist Announced
August 7, 2018This year saw entries for the first time from Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Turkey as the reach of the Lush Prize continues to grow. From the many entrants, reviewers have selected a shortlist of 56 projects and 17 scientists across five award categories who go through to the final judging phase. Winners will be announced in November. Learn More.
Modernization of EPA “6-Pack” of Acute Toxicity Tests Continues
July 27, 2018The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) continues to drive significant efforts in the United States to modernize the battery of acute toxicity tests classically known as the “6-pack.” Learn More.