The OECD has adopted two new alternatives to animal testing, developed by L'Oréal, to assess skin allergy and eye irritation
Clichy, 23 November 2017 - On 9 October the OECD* announced that it had accepted the U-SENS™ method (to predict sensitizing potential) and the HCE EIT** method (to detect the eye irritation potential of chemicals), both of which can be used in place of animal testing. This adoption by the OECD will enable all industries to use these two alternative methods developed by L’Oréal’s research laboratories.
"Forty years of research into skin reconstruction and alternative methods are now bearing fruit" said Laurent ATTAL, Executive Vice-President Research and Innovation at L'Oréal. "This is a major breakthrough in the replacement of animal testing".
In order to guarantee consumer safety, it is imperative that the cosmetics industry ensures that the ingredients present in the finished product have no undesirable effects, such as skin allergy or eye irritation. Since the EU banned animal testing in 2013, alternative in vitro methods have been developed to predict these potential side effects.
Skin allergy is a delayed immunological reaction that occurs following repeated contact with a sensitizing substance from the environment, a chemical or a cosmetic product. This reaction is the result of a complex mechanism that triggers a series of inflammatory reactions on the skin. The U-SENS™ method for detecting and predicting a skin allergy, developed in L'Oréal's laboratories, is based on tests performed in vitro on human cells that express a specific marker of immunity. In 2016, the EURL-ECVAM*** had judged that the method was efficient and reproducible.
Eye irritation is characterized by an immediate reaction, which may or may not be reversible, that affects the cornea or the conjunctiva of the eye. This reaction may lead to redness or a burning sensation. To evaluate eye irritation, L'Oréal has developed a method based on a human cornea epithelium model reconstructed in vitro (organic tissue), that faithfully reproduces human histological and morphological properties. The cellular viability of this tissue in 3D is measured by a specific protocol. This HCE EIT** method, which is considered robust and relevant, was recognised and validated in 2016 by the EURL-ECVAM***.
These two scientific methods, developed by L'Oréal's research teams, allow the development of an ever larger and more efficient range of alternative assessment methods that avoid the need for animal testing.
The inclusion of these two methods in the OECD* Test Guidelines in 2017 (TG442E and TG492) amounts to international recognition and regulatory acceptance for all industries that may use these tests.
*OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
**HCE EIT: Human Corneal Epithelium Eye Irritation Test
***EURL-ECVAM: European Union Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing
About L'Oréal
L'Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 100 years. With its unique international portfolio of 34 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 25.8 billion euros in 2016 and employs 89,300 people worldwide. As the world's leading beauty company, L'Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail, branded retail and e-commerce.
Research and innovation, and a dedicated research team of 3,870 people, are at the core of L'Oréal's strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world. L'Oréal's sustainability commitment for 2020 "Sharing Beauty With All" sets out ambitious sustainable development objectives across the Group's value chain.
For more information: http://mediaroom.loreal.com/en/
"This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy L'Oréal shares. If you wish to obtain more comprehensive information about L'Oréal, please refer to the public documents registered in France with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, also available in English on our Internet site www.loreal-finance.com.
This news release may contain some forward-looking statements. Although the Company considers that these statements are based on reasonable hypotheses at the date of publication of this release, they are by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or projected in these statements."
Contacts at L'Oréal
Individual shareholders and market authorities
Mr Jean Régis CAROF
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 83 02
[email protected]
Financial analysts and institutional investors
Mrs Françoise LAUVIN
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 86 82
[email protected]
Journalists
Mrs Anne-Laure RICHARD
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 80 68
[email protected]
Switchboard
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 70 00
