Animal testing alternatives

AN ACT Relating to the use of alternatives to animal test 1
methods; and adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that 92 percent 4
of drugs tested on animals fail to meet safety and efficacy standards 5
for human use. The legislature also finds that alternative, nonanimal 6
test methods can be more effective and efficient for drug 7
development, including producing results that are more human-relevant 8
as well as reducing the time and cost of drug development.9
(2) The legislature also finds that federal laws and policies 10
support the use of alternative, nonanimal test methods in drug 11
development. 12
(3) Furthermore, the legislature finds that a majority of the 13
public supports replacing the use of animals in experiments with 14
alternative test methods. 15
(4) The legislature therefore intends to require the use of 16
available test methods that are alternatives to animal test methods 17
in the interest of providing consumers with drugs that are developed 18
effectively and efficiently. 19
H-2847.1
HOUSE BILL 2542
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Gregerson, Berg, Goodman, Macri, Parshley,
Simmons, Ormsby, Pollet, Leavitt, Ramel, Fosse, and Scott
Read first time 01/16/26. Referred to Committee on Consumer
Protection & Business.
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NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply 1
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 2
otherwise.3
(1) "Alternative test method" means a test method that:4
(a) Provides information of equivalent or better scientific 5
quality and relevance than animal test methods; 6
(b) Has been identified by a validation body and adopted by the 7
relevant federal agency or program within an agency responsible for 8
regulating the specific product or activity for which the test is 9
being conducted; and 10
(c) Does not use animals. 11
(2) "Animal" has the same definition as in RCW 16.52.205.12
(3) "Animal test method" means a process or procedure that uses 13
animals to obtain information. 14
(4) "Animal testing facility" means any facility, including a 15
private entity, state agency, or institution of higher education, 16
that confines and uses animals for research, education, testing, or 17
other scientific or medical purpose. 18
(5) "Contract testing facility" means any partnership, 19
corporation, association, or other legal entity that tests chemicals, 20
ingredients, product formulations, or products on behalf of another 21
entity. 22
(6) "Drug" has the same meaning as in 21 U.S.C. Sec. 321 (g)(1) as 23
it exists on the effective date of this section. 24
(7) "Drug development process" means the investigation of the 25
safety and effectiveness of a drug, including discovery, development, 26
and preclinical research. 27
(8) "Manufacturer" means any partnership, corporation, 28
association, or other legal entity that produces chemicals, 29
ingredients, product formulations, or products. 30
(9) "Validation body" means any organization that seeks to 31
facilitate development, validation, and regulatory acceptance of new 32
and revised regulatory test methods that reduce, refine, or replace 33
the use of animals in testing, such as the interagency coordinating 34
committee on the validation of alternative methods or other similar 35
organizations. 36
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) No animal testing facility, contract 37
testing facility, or manufacturer shall use an animal test method in 38
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a drug development process when an alternative test method is 1
available. 2
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the 3
use of a test method that does not use animals. 4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The legislature finds that the practices 5
covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public 6
interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, 7
chapter 19.86 RCW. Violations of this chapter are not reasonable in 8
relation to the development and preservation of business. A violation 9
of this chapter is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce 10
and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the 11
consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.12
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This chapter does not apply when an animal 13
test method is required by a federal regulatory authority.14
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act 15
constitute a new chapter in Title 69 RCW.16
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