Report on the COLIPA workshop on mechanisms of eye irritation

This report summarises the discussions of a workshop sponsored by the Europ ean Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association (COLIPA). The workshop discussed the state-of-the-art of eye irritancy testing, and made recommend ations as to the best ways in which to validate alternatives to the Draize eye irritation test. The importance of understanding the mechanisms of eye irritation, particularly when attempting to improve in vitro prediction of in vivo eye irritancy, was also emphasised.