EPA updates testing methods to reduce animal use in chemical safety reviews

On August 27, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detailed several new steps to modernize its chemical safety assessments. These updates are designed to improve the review process for new chemicals and pesticides while shifting the agency away from its traditional reliance on mammalian animal testing. By adopting more modern scientific techniques, the EPA expects to evaluate inhalation and oral risks with greater efficiency and accuracy. The move aligns with a broader agency goal to end animal testing by 2035 while maintaining a commitment to transparency and environmental protection.

This shift addresses many of the historical difficulties associated with conventional animal testing, which can be slow, expensive, and occasionally limited in how well it reflects human biology. In response, the EPA is introducing a modernized approach to assessing surfactants, which are chemicals commonly found in household soaps and detergents. The agency will now use 3D human airway tissue models to predict potential lung irritation, a framework that allows for faster and more relevant risk assessments without compromising safety standards.

Implementing these changes requires ongoing cooperation between the EPA and various partners, including NGOs, animal welfare advocates, and experienced scientists. The agency has worked alongside the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to develop and validate these new strategies. By utilizing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), such as cell-based studies and computer modeling, the EPA can estimate chemical toxicity without the use of live animals, creating a more humane and streamlined testing process.

The transition toward these new methods carries significant benefits for public health and environmental safety. By decreasing the need for animal testing, the EPA is addressing ethical concerns while also helping safer chemicals and pesticides reach the public more quickly. The agency is also employing the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) mixtures equation to improve the accuracy of risk assessments for pesticide formulations, ensuring that final products meet safety requirements for general use.

The EPA remains focused on advancing non-animal testing methods as it looks toward the coming years. By continuing to explore alternatives to traditional testing, the agency aims to encourage further innovation in chemical safety reviews. These initiatives rely on the continued collaboration of the scientific community and stakeholders who are working toward a future of humane science. Through these efforts, the EPA is moving toward a model where chemical assessments are both scientifically rigorous and ethically sound.