Validation and regulatory acceptance of dermatotoxicology methods: Recent progress and the role of NICEATM and ICCVAM

Abstract

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) is an interagency committee consisting of 15 U.S. Federal regulatory and research agencies that use, generate, require, or disseminate safety-testing information (Table 61.1). The committee was established in 1997 to coordinate the interagency evaluation of the scientifi c validity of new, revised, and alternative methods proposed for regulatory safety testing. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (1) established ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences under the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM) with specifi c purposes and duties (Table 61.2). ICCVAM and NICEATM work collaboratively to promote the validation and regulatory acceptance of new, revised, and alternative test methods that are based on sound science and that will provide continued or improved protection of people, animals, and the environment while reducing, refi ning, and replacing the use of animals where scientifi - cally feasible. NICEATM administers ICCVAM and provides scientifi c and technical support for ICCVAM activities. NICEATM organizes test method peer reviews and workshops in conjunction with ICCVAM and carries out independent validation studies on high priority test methods (2).