ECVAM (1998), ECVAM News & Views, ATLA 26, pp. 275-280.

ZEBET/ECVAM/COLIPA, Standard Operating Procedure:

The report and recommendations of ECVAM workshop 6, ATLA 23, pp. 219-255.

& Liebsch, M. (1998), The ECVAM international validation study on in vitro tests for skin corrosivity.

The ECVAM validation study demonstrated that both tests were able to reliably discriminate between known skin corrosives and non-corrosives.

Barratt, M.D., Brantom, P.G., Fentem, J.H., Gerner, I., Walker, A.P. & Worth, A.P. (1998), The ECVAM international validation study on in vitro tests for skin corrosivity.

It is recommended that the methodology and prediction model are calibrated by testing a series of reference standards chosen from the chemicals used in the ECVAM validation study (3).

Currently, only alternative methods which are scientifically validated by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) or the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and applicable to the whole chemical sector are systematically adopted at Community level.

The Commission, after consultation of the SCCNFP and of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and with due regard to the development of validation within the OECD, shall establish timetables for the implementation of the provisions under paragraph 1(a), (b) and (d), including deadlines for the phasing-out of the various tests.

Whereas the Community is stepping up its efforts to develop substitute methods and computer-aided simulation models, paying particular attention to the work carried out by the European Centre for the validation of alternative methods (ECVAM), so that the goal of reducing experiments on animals may be achieved in the near future;

Two in vitro test for skin corrosivity, the rat skin transcutaneous electrical resistance (TER) assay and a test employing a human skin model, have been endorsed as scientifically valid by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM, Joint Research Centre, European Commission) (1) (2) (3).

It will gradually become possible to ensure the safety of ingredients used in cosmetic products by using non-animal alternative methods validated at Community level, or approved as being scientifically validated, by ECVAM and with due regard to the development of validation within the OECD.