On September 10, 2019, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a directive that prioritized efforts to reduce animal testing. The memorandum called for the agency to reduce its requests for, and funding of, mammal studies by 30% by 2025, and eliminate all mammal study requests and funding by 2035. Any mammal studies requested or funded by EPA after 2035 will require administrator approval on a case-by-case basis.
EPA will host its Second Annual Conference on the State of the Science on Development and Use of New Approach Methods (NAMs) for Chemical Safety Testing virtually on October 19 & 20, 2020. EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) and Office of Research and Development (ORD) hosted the First Annual Conference on the State of the Science on Development and Use of New Approach Methods (NAMs) for Chemical Safety Testing on December 10, 2019. These annual conferences are one of EPA’s commitments as set forth in the "Directive to Prioritize Efforts to Reduce Animal Testing" memorandum Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed on September 10, 2019 calling for the Agency to reduce its use of mammalian studies.