[Legal aspects of alternative methods to animal testing].

While the total replacement of animal experimentation was the goal set by the European Directive of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, it has to be said that it is still far from being achieved. The number of animals is not decreasing and alternative methods are struggling to be used. Under pressure from the citizens, the European Commission has just made new commitments to define the stages and specific actions to be put in place to reduce animal testing, a prerequisite for the transition to an animal-free regulatory system. Given the shortcomings and lack of coherence in European policy, mobilising the public is an essential lever for speeding up the implementation of alternative methods.