The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a study with the Fraunhofer Institute to evaluate a potential alternative to fish-based toxicity testing for chemicals. Announced on 13 November 2024, the study will investigate whether the Fish Embryo Toxicity (FET) test, enhanced with transcriptomics, can serve as a viable substitute for traditional fish toxicity testing in Europe’s regulatory framework.
FET Initiative
The ECHA initiative is part of a growing movement in Europe to reduce reliance on animal testing for environmental and health assessments. With political and social momentum pushing for animal-free testing, the ECHA is exploring "new approach methodologies" (NAMs) as replacements for conventional animal tests, which are currently necessary to determine chemical safety.
The Fish Embryo Toxicity test, a commonly accepted method for acute toxicity testing, may be enhanced to cover chronic toxicity as well by incorporating transcriptomics—a technique that detects changes in gene expression that can signal toxic effects. According to the ECHA, this method could be effective in identifying toxicological pathways relevant to endocrine disruption, a significant environmental health concern.
ECHA and Fraunhofer Institute’s Role in Advancing Non-Animal Testing
Sylvia Escher from the Fraunhofer Institute and Tomasz Sobanski from ECHA’s Alternative Methods Team highlighted in a recent interview the project’s focus on using molecular data from fish embryos. This data could potentially reveal chemical effects without using protected life stages of fish, aligning with EU animal welfare regulations, which do not currently consider fish embryos as protected.
This project is expected to contribute to ECHA’s broader goal of achieving an animal-free regulatory system for industrial chemicals through collaborations with stakeholders and advancements in science. With an emphasis on safety, knowledge, and collaboration, the ECHA is pushing forward to meet regulatory demands without animal testing, where possible.
The FET test’s potential to replace traditional fish toxicity testing could mark a significant step in Europe’s shift towards animal-free chemical testing. The ECHA’s commitment to these developments highlights the agency’s role in setting the groundwork for safer, more humane regulatory practices in environmental protection.
