ECEAE contributes to EU Roadmap with two Transitional Initiatives
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EU Commission officially recognizes ECEAE member databases as key tools for the transition to animal-free science
A major contribution to the acceptance of non-animal approaches in Europe: The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has published its catalogue of "Transitional Initiatives". The ECEAE is delighted to announce that two pioneering projects developed by our German member organisation Doctors Against Animal Experiments (DAAE) have been officially included: the established NAT Database and the newly launched, AI-powered NATworks platform. Their inclusion signifies their pivotal role in supporting the upcoming EU Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing in chemical safety assessments.
The European Union is currently developing a strategic roadmap to accelerate the phase out of animal testing in chemicals safety assessment. To support the implementation of this crucial roadmap, the JRC was tasked with identifying existing activities and tools that can facilitate this complex transition. These so-called "Transitional Initiatives" are recognised as strategic instruments to monitor progress, identify gaps, and accelerate the uptake of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
The official listing of both the NAT Database (nat-datenbank.de) and NATworks (nat-works.org) confirms their status as supportive tools for a modern, human-relevant science and safety assessment.
The NAT Database, established in 2020 and awarded with the international Lush Prize in 2022, serves as a comprehensive public repository of non-animal technologies across various countries and biomedical fields. The newly launched NATworks platform is mapping the global landscape of NAM developers using advanced Artificial Intelligence - from innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s) to large biotech firms - focusing strictly on animal-free methods. Both tools directly address one of the biggest hurdles in the transition: the lack of visibility and accessibility of animal-free technologies. They will provide the EU Commission and stakeholders with the necessary data to steer funding, foster collaborations, and track the growth of the NAM sector, ensuring the Roadmap becomes a practical reality rather than just a guidance document.
The AI-driven NATworks platform is supposed to support EU regulators and decision makers involved in the shift towards animal-free testing. It has recently been presented by the ECEAE to the EU Commission and member states representatives at the National Contact Points meeting. NATworks is meant to serve as an educational tool for diverse target groups including early career scientists and academic researchers and students, providing career opportunities in NAM-based industries.
The ECEAE views the JRC's recognition as a strong signal that the tools to end animal testing exist today, and we will continue to work towards an effective phase-out of animal testing in the EU.