National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative

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These methods, the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) and

isolated chicken eye (ICE) test methods, can now be used around the world for

identification of substances that may cause severe irritation or permanent

damage to eyes without the use of live animals.

The National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of

Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM) and the Interagency Center on the

Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) are pleased to announce that

two ICCVAM-recommended nonanimal safety testing methods have been officially

adopted as Health Effects Test Guidelines by the 30 member countries of the

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These

methods, the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) and isolated

chicken

eye (ICE) test methods, can now be used around the world for

identification of substances that may cause severe irritation or permanent

damage to

eyes without the use of live animals.

Following an extensive review of their validation status by NICEATM and

ICCVAM, the BCOP and ICE test methods were accepted last year by U.S. Federal

agencies. (See NIEHS press release, " Newly Approved Ocular Safety Methods

Reduce Animal Testing " , June 23, 2008). NICEATM and ICCVAM, in

collaboration with validation organizations in Europe and Japan, then drafted

test

guidelines based on the ICCVAM recommendations for submission to OECD. The new

test guidelines, which have been designated Test Guidelines 437 (BCOP) and

438 (ICE), were formally adopted by the OECD Council this past Monday,

September 7. This represents the fastest ever adoption of new test guidelines

by OECD. The prompt acceptance was due in large part to the comprehensive

ICCVAM evaluation of the test methods and the involvement of international

validation partners in the development of the test guidelines.

Final versions of Test Guidelines 437 and 438 are now available on the

NICEATM-ICCVAM (http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/) and OECD (http://www.oecd.org)

websites.

More information about the NICEATM-ICCVAM evaluation of the BCOP and ICE

test methods and links to the test guidelines can be found on the

NICEATM-ICCVAM website at:

http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/ocutox/ivocutox/OECD.htm

More information about the OECD Test Guidelines Program can be found on

the OECD website at:

http://www.oecd.org/document/40/0,2340,en_2649_34377_37051368_1_1_1_1,00.htm

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ICCVAM has contributed to the approval or endorsement of 27 alternative

safety testing methods by Federal regulatory agencies since its establishment

in 1997. Appropriate use of these test methods can significantly reduce

animal use and improve animal welfare. ICCVAM has also identified critical

research, development, and validation efforts needed to further advance

numerous other alternative methods.

Thank you for your interest and your support of NICEATM and ICCVAM.

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