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On 11 November 2025, the UK Government published its strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods to enable the replacement of animals in science. The strategy establishes clear objectives and commitments to create a research and innovation system that replaces animals with alternative methods wherever possible.
Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science at CTPA, says "CTPA warmly welcomes the strategy’s clear commitments and robust accountability framework, which together provide a strong foundation for success. We are particularly pleased to see the inclusion of the UK’s ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and products highlighted within the strategy as a powerful case study in the transition toward non-animal approaches."
The strategy's focus on increasing confidence in the use of non-animal approaches for regulatory acceptance is recognised and supported by CTPA. The detailed and practical ideas within the strategy will support both industry and regulators to accelerate the use, uptake and acceptance of non-animal approaches. In particular, CTPA is delighted that its programme of practical, case-study-led training for regulators and chemical safety assessors in the use of non-animal approaches is referenced in the strategy as a positive example of how to achieve the stated aim of supporting the upskilling of regulatory assessors.
The strategy outlines the ambition to place the UK at the forefront of international efforts. CTPA supports the commitment to international leadership and cooperation and the intention to increase active participation in global projects. This will support harmonisation of approaches across the globe, which is critical for businesses, and will accelerate progress overall.
CTPA is pleased to note the inclusion of stakeholders from different backgrounds in the strategy's governance structure, and the establishment of a cross-government Ministerial group to ensure oversight of the strategy. The publicly available dashboard of progress against key deliverables is a big step in allowing all stakeholders to follow the progress of this important strategy and it will help CTPA to be able to identify areas where it can play its part in helping achieve the strategy's aims.
The cosmetics and personal care industry has been at the forefront of developing, evaluating, and using animal-free approaches for safety assessment for nearly 40 years and CTPA has a proactive commitment to supporting the cosmetics and personal care industry in the development, promotion and regulatory acceptance of NAMs. Examples of CTPA’s work include stakeholder workshops, practical training for safety assessors and collaboration with the global cosmetics industry and regulators. CTPA is also increasing its collaboration with sister associations from the wider chemicals sector, to promote the use of NAMs beyond the cosmetics industry and is proud to be a member of ICCS, The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety
CTPA looks forward to continuing to play its part in helping achieve the UK strategy's vision for a world where the use of animals in research and development is eliminated in all but exceptional circumstances.
