ORCHESTRA

Obtaining scientifically sound information on the potential hazards to human health and the environment of new chemical substances produced in the EU or imported into the EU.

Obtaining scientifically sound information on the large number of substances already in use where there is inadequate information.

Placing the responsibility on industry to provide the evidence (to propose, carry out and report tests), and to assess and manage the risks, so that industry bears these costs rather than the taxpayer. (Regulators review test proposals and results, do spot checks and focus on problem areas.)

Being conservative and cautious before accepting each proposal to use non-animal methods, in order to prioritise the protection of human health and the environment.

Requiring companies to share the results from past and future tests with other companies, to avoid repeating animal experiments.

Approving proposals for animal tests only in cases where other methods are not yet available.

Investing in the development of alternatives to animal testing, and increasing the understanding of these methods by industry and regulators.

Requiring companies to make the results from animal tests accessible at no cost or low cost to the developers of in silico models, so that in silico models can be developed to replace further animal tests.

either at low cost, or freely available online, to enable their use by small companies, regulators, educators, scientists, NGOs and others.

There are many thousands of chemicals being used in the EU which need to be tested under REACH. In silico methods make it possible to assess large numbers and/or prioritise their testing.

In silico methods can integrate the findings from different kinds of tests to generate an understanding of the toxicity of a chemical; the quantitative results can be used directly in risk assessment.

The additional tests required by REACH will cost industry billions of Euros in animal experiments. These costs could be reduced by using in silico methods. Animal tests also take time, and laboratories are limited, causing expensive delays, whereas in silico methods can assess thousands of chemicals quickly.

Reducing the numbers of animals and fish (vertebrates) used in tests for toxicity.
(This is an aim of the REACH legislation.)

Reducing the numbers of invertebrates, such as worms, used in tests for toxicity.
(This is not an aim of the REACH legislation.)

Until now, chemicals have been developed before testing their toxicity. In silico methods can predict toxicity, so industry could plan from the beginning to develop and use of safer chemicals.

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