Key Opportunities to Replace, Reduce, and Refine Regulatory Fish Acute Toxicity Tests

Area of Science:

• Ecotoxicology
• Chemical Safety Assessment
• Animal Welfare in Research

Background:

• Fish acute toxicity tests are standard for regulatory hazard identification of industrial chemicals and plant protection products.
• These Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline 203 studies aim to find the lethal concentration for 50% of test animals, causing animal suffering.
• There is significant potential to implement the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in these widely used vertebrate ecotoxicology tests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review global fish acute toxicity test data requirements across major chemical sectors.
• To identify ongoing initiatives for applying the 3Rs principles to fish acute toxicity testing.
• To outline key challenges and opportunities in replacing, reducing, or refining these tests while maintaining environmental protection.

Main Methods:

• An expert ecotoxicology working group, led by the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, was convened.
• The group included members from government, academia, and industry.
• Global fish acute test data requirements for major chemical sectors were reviewed.

Main Results:

• The study highlights current initiatives aimed at the 3Rs in fish acute toxicity testing.
• It provides an overview of the challenges encountered in implementing these principles.
• Opportunities for advancing the 3Rs without compromising environmental safety are presented.

Conclusions:

• Implementing the 3Rs in fish acute toxicity testing is feasible and necessary.
• Collaboration between regulatory bodies, academia, and industry is crucial for progress.
• The study emphasizes the need for continued efforts to reduce animal use in ecotoxicology while ensuring robust environmental risk assessment.