The role of ECVAM in promoting the regulatory acceptance of alternative methods in the European Union

The roles played by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative M ethods (ECVAM) and its advisory committee, the ECVAM Scientific Advisory Co mmittee (ESAC), in the evolution of alternative methods are described. Part icular emphasis is given to the process by which ECVAM and the ESAC assess the scientific validities of alternative methods, and, in appropriate cases , initiate the progression of scientifically validated methods toward regul atory acceptance.