International Council for Animal Protection
DDAL
has joined with animal protection organizations in Europe, Japan,
Canada and the U.S. to form the International Council for Animal
Protection in OECD Programs (ICAPO) which has gained recognized
status at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD).
In the summer of 2005, DDAL Deputy Director Sara Amundson participated
in the National Coordinator's Meeting for Chemicals Policy for
the OECD. Amundson helped ensure the completion of uniform guidelines
on the validation of test methods for non-animal alternatives.
How the OECD Can Help Animals
Recognized status at the OECD grants animal protection groups
an important opportunity to influence the international and
national regulators that have traditionally relied on animal
tests for demonstrating the safety and efficacy of chemicals
in international commerce.
ICAPO provided scientific comments on the majority of test
guidelines and policies under review, in addition to sending
scientific and policy representatives to meetings of the OECD
and its subcommittees. ICAPO ensures that guidelines and programs
are adequately questioned for scientific relevance, and the
strongest emphasis is placed on using non-animal or alternative
tests.
The use of animal testing is a concern of international consequence,
as each country may require different tests, and international
trade may predicate others.
Recently, the OECD recognized expert comments and consultation
in several areas:
-
(Q)SAR Expert Group: Computer modeling
for determining like chemical relationships, an alternative
to new animal tests.
-
Validation Management: A uniform approach
to ensuring toxicity tests are scientifically sound before
requiring their use.
What is the OECD?
The OECD is comprised of 30 member countries sharing a commitment
to democratic government and the market economy. Best known
for its publications and statistics, the OECD covers economic
and social issues ranging from macroeconomics to trade, education,
development, and science and innovation. Visit
OECD on the web
