On May 31, 2026, the European Commission presented its roadmap to phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, including clear and tangible steps to ensure the transition to non-animal approaches.
The planned phaseout was set in motion in 2023 in response to the European citizens’ initiative Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe Without Animal Testing. In 2025, the European Union passed the Chemicals Action Plan, which includes 22 actions under three pillars to gradually replace animal testing methods for chemical safety assessments.
The first pillar focuses on phasing out animal use and includes over 30 targeted recommendations to replace, reduce or refine animal testing for human health and environmental safety assessments. The second pillar aims to keep Europe at the forefront of research and innovation. The third pillar describes a framework to facilitate implementation with all relevant stakeholders in the EU and beyond.
“The publication of this roadmap marks a pivotal step towards modernizing chemical safety assessments while reinforcing Europe’s leadership in innovation,” said Stéphane Séjourné, executive vice president for prosperity and industrial strategy at the European Commission. “By phasing out animal testing, we are not only upholding higher ethical standards but also strengthening our competitiveness through cutting-edge, non-animal alternative technologies.”
According to the Commission’s press release, officials will start implementing the roadmap immediately in close collaboration with member states and stakeholders. The commission will organize a high-level conference to take stock of progress in 2029, focused on increased use and uptake of non-animal approaches in all relevant EU legislation.
“Today is a good day for animals and shows that Europe cares,” said Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. “After decades of animal testing, we are taking concrete steps to end this. Phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments based on innovation will be a triple win for animals, the environment and companies. We will now build on this collective momentum to implement the roadmap actions. This will speed up progress towards a new scientific framework that no longer relies on animal testing.”