EPA Reaffirms Commitment to End Mammalian Animal Testing by 2035
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating mammalian animal testing by 2035, signaling continued support for the development and adoption of modern, non-animal testing methods.
The commitment, first reported under the current administration in April 2025, reflects the agency's ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on animal testing while advancing scientific innovation. As part of its recent announcement, the EPA highlighted progress made over the past year, including a significant reduction in the number of rodents housed by the agency's Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions.
The agency also celebrated the success of its laboratory animal adoption program, launched in April 2025. Through the program, several animals that are no longer needed for research have been adopted by EPA employees, providing them with permanent homes after their time in the laboratory.
Advances in alternative testing methods—including cell-based models, computational modeling, and other emerging technologies—are helping researchers evaluate chemical safety while reducing the need for mammalian animal testing. Many scientists believe these approaches have the potential to improve both the efficiency and relevance of safety assessments.
The EPA's renewed commitment aligns with a broader movement toward replacing, reducing, and refining the use of animals in research whenever scientifically appropriate. Continued investment in validated alternative methods could help accelerate the transition while maintaining protections for human health and the environment.
Ohio Animal Advocates supports efforts to advance science that protects both people and animals. As research methods continue to evolve, reducing the use of animals in testing represents an important step toward more humane and innovative scientific practices.
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1. Help OAA end animal testing by submitting action alerts to Prohibit Unnecessary Animal Testing on Cosmetic Products in Ohio and Stop Taxpayer-Funded Animal Testing Abroad: Support the CARGO Act (federal)
2. Learn more about how Ohio Animal Advocates advocates for humane alternatives to testing on animals and policies that make animal testing illegal worldwide on our Animal Testing page.
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