EU: Chemical testing: new safety test methods approved

With Regulation (EU) 2023/464 dated 3rd March 2023, the European Commission adopted nearly 100 new and updated methods for safety testing of chemicals under the REACH Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)). Most of these methods are non-animal alternatives. To ensure that Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 of 30 May 2008, setting out test methods pursuant to the REACH Regulation, contains correct, up-to-date, and relevant test methods capable of generating information in accordance with that Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/464 stipulates that a table will be added to the Annex of Regulation No 440/2008, which provides a comprehensive list of such methods with a reference to the respective international test method. Moreover, this is intended to reduce the approval time for new methods, including those without animal testing.