Ecopa: actual status and plans.
Ecopa, the European Consensus Platform on alternatives, is an international not-for-profit organization, based in Belgium and complying with Belgium law. It is the only quadripartite organization at EU level, which is promoting the 3R-Alternatives at the European level. Ecopa brings together National Consensus Platforms on alternative methods. Consensus means that all parties concerned are represented: animal welfare, industry, academia and governmental institutions. Ecopa actually counts 14 National Platforms of Member States (or future Member States), (8 full members, platforms of Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom and six associate members being Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Poland and Sweden) and has three working groups. The fields of interest of these working groups change according to the needs and were until now concerned with (i) the 6th Framework Programme of the EC for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities, (ii) the EC White Paper Strategy for a Future EU Chemicals Policy and (iii) the formation & educational programmes on alternative methods. Ecopa is thus uniquely placed and has huge expertise to offer to the debate around scientific and politically-linked topics. It has to be considered a key stakeholder by the European Commission and Parliament (http://ecopa.vub.ac.be) or http://ecopa.tsx.org).
Department of toxicology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. vrogiers@fafy.vub.ac.be
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D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium; D032921:Consensus; D005062:European Union; D007221:Industry; D011640:Public Policy; D014495:Universities