National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is committed to the development of a new safety assessment for chemical substances and medicines using animal-free innovations. The RIVM is conducting research in this field. In addition, the RIVM advises policymakers on applications for animal-free innovations and shares its knowledge with professionals. The goal is to establish the safety of chemical substances via animal-free innovations and, in this way, to protect the health of humans, animals and the ecosystem.
Innovative animal-free projects
In the context of the TPI programme, the RIVM is involved in various projects, such as:
- Virtual Human Platform for Safety Assessment (VHP4Safety): a computer model that tests medicines and chemical substances partly by using data on human biology;
- TPI.tv: an online platform where professionals can mutually share knowledge by uploading videos, with the aim of working together with colleagues across the world on research without the use of testing animals;
- Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC): innovating the safety assessment of chemical substances in the European Union;
- Agenda on animal-free innovations in the regulatory field (PIRV, proefdiervrije innovaties in het regulatoire veld): the activities described in this agenda must eventually lead to testing the safety of substances without using laboratory animals.
RIVM: public health and a safe and healthy living environment
The RIVM is focused on achieving and maintaining a healthy population in a sustainable, safe and healthy living environment. It works towards this by conducting scientific research and issuing advice, as well as by gathering and applying knowledge.
Read more about replacing, reducing and refining animal testing on the RIVM website.