IIVS Hosts Workshop on Non-Animal Testing Methods for Russian Delegates

Furthering its goal to increase the use of non-animal testing methods
internationally, the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) hosted a
four-day workshop for eleven attendees from Russia. Through a combination
of lectures and hands-on laboratory training, the delegates gained
firsthand knowledge of how non-animal test methods can be used to assess
the safety of cosmetic and personal care products.

"Scientists in Russia are interested in learning more about non-animal
test methods. This course gave an extremely useful technical overview and
also highlighted how the data from these methods can be incorporated into
a product safety testing program," said Tatiana Puchkova, Chairman of the
Board of Perfumery and Cosmetic Association of Russia which organized this
training for Russian authorities and leading toxicologists. "This is the
beginning of an extensive collaboration with IIVS to establish non-animal
safety testing in Russia. This effort is extremely important for further
harmonization and plans to enter OECD."

The use and regulatory acceptance of non-animal testing methods is on the
rise around the world. Legislative and consumer pressure combined with
technological advantages make non-animal methods appealing to industry
scientists and regulators alike. Several methods have been formerly
validated and recognized for use by the Organization for Economic and
Co-operation and Development (OECD). While OECD Test Guidelines are
available for the scientific community, sufficient detail to execute and
interpret resulting data is often lacking.

"Our goal is to technically assist in the adoption of non-animal tests in
countries where animal testing has historically been required," says
Rodger Curren, President of IIVS. "The interest and commitment we have
seen by the attendees from Russia is very promising for the future of
non-animal testing in the Customs Union."

The workshop is one example of many educational and training activities in
IIVS' International Outreach Program. Supported by industry and NGO's, the
program focuses on bridging information gaps to make non-animal test
methods more readily adoptable by scientists around the world. Generous
support from The Alternatives Research & Development Foundation, The
Colgate Palmolive Company, and Humane Society International enabled IIVS
to provide the workshop for the Russian attendees. Additional IIVS
training programs are being planned for the US, China and Brazil.

Full story here.