New Approach Methods (NAMs) - Animal Use Metrics for Research and Development

EPA's New Approach Methods (NAMs) Work Plan was created to prioritize Agency efforts and resources toward activities that will reduce the use of vertebrate animal testing while continuing to protect human health and the environment.

To fulfill a deliverable under the Work Plan, EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) established initial baselines and metrics for transparency in animal use.

This page reports metrics on animal use in research and development activities and under the Agency’s regulatory authority.

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Animal Use Metrics for the Office of Research and Development  

The number of mammals used for research purposes in recent fiscal years is provided below. Over time, EPA will transition to extend reporting to include all vertebrate animal use. The selected baseline is average number of mammals used for research purposes between fiscal years 2016 and 2018 prior to the Work Plan.

Fiscal Yeara	Number of Mammals Usedb
Baselinec	8900
2019	5700d
2020	2900d,e
2021	3100e
2022	6600

^a The fiscal year corresponds to October 1 – September 30. 

^b Number of mammals rounded to the nearest hundred.  The numbers currently include rats, mice, and rabbits.

^c Baseline numbers do not include animals used in contract research activities. 

^d Number of mammals used was likely impacted by reorganization in the Office of Research and Development and laboratory remodeling activities. 

^e Number of mammals used was likely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional Information

• NAMs EPA New Approach Methods Work Plan: Tracking Use of Vertebrate Animals in Chemical Testing
• Alternative Test Methods and Strategies to Reduce Vertebrate Animal Testing
• Efforts to Reduce Vertebrate Animal Testing at EPA
• Past Conferences on the State of the Science on Development and Use of New Approach Methods (NAMs) for Chemical Safety Testing