Statements and position papers

2026

September: POSTnote submission: Technology alternatives to animals in life sciences research.

The NC3Rs has contributed information to the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) project on technology alternatives to animals in life sciences research.

Our response to the POSTnote consultation outlines the latest developments in replacement technologies, summarises key barriers to their adoption and describes how the NC3Rs is addressing these, highlighting opportunities for future UK leadership.

January: UK Chemicals Regulation Vision.

The NC3Rs and British Toxicology Society have identified actions to optimise opportunities presented from exiting the EU to develop a world-leading regulatory framework that firmly embeds the 3Rs in chemical safety testing.
March: Statement in response to a letter from Lord Sharpe of Epsom responding to the Animals in Science Committee forced swim test report.
Includes:
- What has the Home Office said?
- What is the forced swim test?
- Why are there concerns about the forced swim test?
- What is the forced swim test used for and is it reliable?
- What work is the NC3Rs doing in this area?
September: NC3Rs position paper on the forced swim test.

Includes:
- What is the forced swim test?
- What is it used for and is it reliable?
- What other related behavioural test are there?