Canadian Bill Includes Amendments to Reduce Use of Animals in Toxicity Testing

Canada has passed Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which includes amendments to replace and reduce the use of animals in toxicity testing of industrial chemicals and to develop scientifically robust non-animal test methods. The bill requires the government to develop a plan, within two years, for implementing activities and initiatives to replace animal testing and to report on its progress annually.

These amendments aim to modernise the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, similar to the 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act that amended the Toxic Substances Control Act and requires the US Environmental Protection Agency to develop and prioritise non-animal test methods before toxicity tests on animals are considered.

Read more about Bill S-5 here.