NAMs and the UN Global Framework on Chemicals
Lush Prize submits support for introduction of New Approach Methods (NAMs) and phase out of animal tests in the UN Global Framework on Chemicals
The Lush Prize has recently registered its support for a submission by the World Federation for Animals (WFA) to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to recognise the use of non-animal, New Approach Methods (NAMs) for safety assessment in its Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). The submission calls for harmonising global efforts to accelerate the development, validation, acceptance, and implementation of NAMs to ensure that chemicals are managed safely and sustainably.
The submission by the WFA is formally known as an ‘Issue of Concern’ (IoC) and is titled ‘Harmonization of global efforts to protect human, animal, and environment health against the threat from hazardous chemicals by transitioning to New Approach Methods’. It describes how: ‘ The GFC does not presently recommend the use of non-animal methods where available, nor does it reflect the rapid development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including advanced in-vitro, in-chemico, and in-silico approaches, that may improve the efficiency and relevance of chemical safety assessments while overcoming important limitations of traditional animal tests.’
The GFC was adopted in 2023 with the welcome aim of improving chemical safety data. It encourages countries to strengthen chemicals legislation, including measures through its Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). However, the GFC currently does not even mention animal welfare, 3Rs, or alternative approaches of any kind, much less NAMs. As a result, implementation of the framework could increase demand for animal testing unless non-animal approaches are explicitly recognised and supported.
An IoC may be submitted on the GFC for any ‘ issue involving any phase in the life cycle of chemicals that has not yet been generally recognized, is insufficiently addressed, or arises as a potential concern from the current level of scientific information, and that may have adverse effects on human health and/or the environment that would benefit from international action.’
The IoC submitted by the WFA will be considered at the first International Conference of the GFC in Geneva in November 2026 and represents a critical opportunity to ensure that the GFC reflects ongoing scientific advances, promotes international regulatory consistency and responds to growing international scientific and ethical concerns about the continued use of animals in chemical safety testing. The GFC must also align with recent roadmap initiatives to accelerate the use of NAMs and phase out animal testing across the EU, USA and UK.
Lush Prize congratulates the WFA members on its submission which can be read in full here.
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