Risk Assessment of Chemical Substances: Canada Publishes New Fact Sheet on NAMs
New approach methods (NAMs) are used in chemical risk assessments and include any technology, methodology, approach or a combination of these that can be used to replace, reduce or refine animal testing and allow for more rapid or effective prioritization and/or assessment of chemicals. In Canada, the Government develops, validates and uses NAMs to support risk assessment, including for screening, prioritizing, grouping, and informing decisions in both the existing and new substances programs under CEPA 1999. NAMs are described in previous science approach documents (SciADs) and despite significant advancements in their development, NAMs are still at an early stage on the trajectory to completely replace animal testing.
Substances, such as individual chemicals and polymers, have many different properties and many different uses. Some are used to make plastics flexible while others help to put out fires. Some are formed through common chemical reactions that occur naturally in the environment. The Government of Canada supports research and international collaborations and works with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and international regulatory partners to develop, validate and use alternatives to traditional animal toxicity testing. For example, Health Canada (HC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) are participating in the development and validation of NAM-based toxicity test guidelines through the OECD Test Guidelines Program.
Note: Each related fact sheet published on NAMs by the Canadian Government may change as its chemical substances risk assessment program, policies, and methods evolve over time.