Division 1.1 INTRODUCTION

In the preparation of this updated method special attention was given to possible improvements through the evaluation of all existing information on the test substance in order to avoid unnecessary testing in laboratory animals and thereby address animal welfare concerns. This method includes the recommendation that prior to undertaking the described in vivo test for acute eye irritation/corrosion, a weight-of-the-evidence analysis be performed (1) on the existing relevant data. Where insufficient data are available, it is recommended that they be developed through application of sequential testing (2)(3). The testing strategy includes the performance of validated and accepted in vitro tests and is provided as an Annex to the testing method. In addition, the use of an in vivo dermal irritation/corrosion test to predict eye corrosion prior to consideration of an in vivo eye test is recommended.

In the interest of both sound science and animal welfare, in vivo testing should not be considered until all available data relevant to the potential eye corrosivity/irritation of the substance has been evaluated in a weight-of-the-evidence analysis. Such data will include evidence from existing studies in humans and/or laboratory animals, evidence of corrosivity/irritation of one or more structurally related substances or mixtures of such substances, data demonstrating high acidity or alkalinity of the substance (4)(5), and results from validated and accepted in vitro or ex vivo tests for skin corrosion and irritation (6)(6a). The studies may have been conducted prior to, or as a result of, a weight-of-the-evidence analysis.

For certain substances, such an analysis may indicate the need for in vivo studies of the ocular corrosion/irritation potential of the substance. In all such cases, before considering the use of the in vivo eye test, preferably a study of the in vivo dermal effects of the substance should be conducted first and evaluated in accordance with testing method B.4 (7). The application of a weight-of-the-evidence analysis and the sequential testing strategy should decrease the need for in vivo testing for eye corrosivity/irritation of substances for which sufficient evidence already exists from other studies. If a determination of eye corrosion or irritation potential cannot be made using the sequential testing strategy, even after the performance of an in vivo study of dermal corrosion and irritation, an in vivo eye corrosion/irritation test may be performed.

A preferred sequential testing strategy, which includes the performance of validated in vitro or ex vivo tests for corrosion/irritation, is included in the Annex to this testing method. The strategy was developed at, and unanimously recommended by the participants of, an OECD workshop (8), and has been adopted as the recommended testing strategy in the Globally Harmonised System for the Classification of Chemical Substances (GHS) (9). It is recommended that this testing strategy be followed prior to undertaking in vivo testing. For new substances it is the recommended stepwise testing approach for developing scientifically sound data on the corrosivity/irritation of the substance. For existing substances with insufficient data on skin and eye corrosion/irritation, the strategy should be used to fill missing data gaps. The use of a different testing strategy or procedure, or the decision not to use a stepwise testing approach, should be justified.