Notice of Intent - Strategy to replace, reduce or refine vertebrate animal testing: Closed consultation

From: Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada

We intend to develop a strategy to guide our efforts to replace, reduce or refine the use of vertebrate animals for the purposes of assessing chemicals under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Comments were invited on this notice of intent, including the proposed key elements to be addressed under the strategy, to help inform the development of the strategy.

Who was the focus of this consultation

We sought comments from:

• academia
• researchers
• health professionals
• Indigenous partners
• industry stakeholders
• members of the public
• other interested parties
• animal welfare organizations
• consumer and non-governmental organizations

Key questions for discussion

To guide feedback, ideas and inputs were sought around 3 key questions:

• What are your views on the proposed key elements?
• What other elements or considerations, if any, should be included in the strategy to replace, reduce or refine vertebrate animal testing?
• What else can we do to support the transition towards not relying on vertebrate animals in regulatory decision making?

The input that was received through this process will be used to help develop a draft strategy to guide our efforts to replace, reduce or refine the use of vertebrate animals when addressing data needs under CEPA. A summary of the input received through this consultation will be included with the draft strategy.

Related information

• Bill S-5: An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Bill S-5: Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act
• Use of new approach methods in risk assessment
• Guidance document for the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers)
• New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers)
• Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 157, Number 2
• Implementing Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act
• New Substances program of the Chemicals Management Plan

Contact us

Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
Email: erhsdgeneral-dssergenerale@hc-sc.gc.ca