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ACC Research Program Joins Partnership for Validation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

ACC’s Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) Continues to Drive Research on Innovative Approaches to Chemical Safety Assessments

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Kelly Montes de Oca
CONTACT US

WASHINGTON (June 3, 2025) – The American Chemistry Council’s Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) is proud to announce its participation in the NIH Common Fund’s Complement Animal Research In Experimentation (Complement-ARIE) public-private partnership (PPP) to accelerate the scientific development and evaluation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). This collaboration, organized and managed by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), marks a significant step forward in enhancing the robustness and transparency of NAMs and the availability and use of non-animal methods for modernizing regulatory decision-making.

For over 25 years, the FNIH has brought together experts from both the public and private sectors to promote innovation in scientific assessments and methodologies. Under the new partnership with the FNIH, LRI will actively engage in the Design Phase of the Complement-ARIE NAMs Validation and Qualification Network (VQN) PPP, contributing to a few key areas:

  • Input on Selection Criteria: LRI will provide valuable input on the criteria used to select specific NAMs for validation, working to ensure that methodologies are rigorously tested;
  • Public Solicitation: LRI will help obtain input from the NAMs community on NAMs that would meet the readiness criteria; and,
  • Development of Procedures and Protocols: LRI will collaborate on comprehensive procedures and protocols to transparently evaluate and document the robustness of NAMs.

"We are excited to join with the Foundation and other stakeholders in this groundbreaking initiative," said Dr. Richard Becker at ACC. "For over 25 years, LRI has led and supported programs to advance scientific research and develop innovative methodologies that can significantly improve chemical assessment methodologies, reduce or replace animal test methods, and help inform regulatory processes. It’s imperative that industry, as a key member of the global regulatory science community, join forces with scientists from academic, government, and animal welfare organizations and other NGOs to accelerate development of scientific confidence in NAMs."

The NAMs VQN PPP represents a collaborative effort between public and private entities to foster scientific innovation and fit for purpose approaches for validating NAMs, paving the way for modernizing regulatory programs.

By participating in this partnership, the ACC's LRI aims to contribute to the development of reliable and transparent methodologies and tiered integrated approaches to testing and assessment to support risk-based regulatory and product stewardship decisions to protect public health and the environment. 
 

American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.

ACC Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI)

LRI’s mission is to catalyze innovations in chemical safety science. LRI research projects focus on advancing exposure science, establishing scientific confidence in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), modernizing risk-based testing and assessment technologies, and improving public health science. By design, the LRI research program does not focus on specific chemicals but rather identifies broad areas of scientific investigation relevant to the chemical industry and society. Through the LRI, ACC members sponsor independent scientific research and openly communicate research results to the public, the scientific community, and government regulators, through peer-reviewed publications, LRI-supported workshops, and scientific conferences. The LRI is an extension of the ACC Responsible Care® initiative, the chemical industry’s global voluntary commitment to continuous improvement in environmental, health, safety, and security performance. Learn more.