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Proposed RuleOpen for Comment2026-193492026-09-22

Nonclinical Testing Terminology

Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration

Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is proposing to substitute references to "animal" tests or studies with "nonclinical" tests or studies, add a definition of the terms "nonclinical test" and "nonclinical study," and make other comparable or conforming amendments in certain safety and reporting sections of its regulations. The proposed rule would also substitute "nonclinical" for "preclinical" and "in vitro" for consistency in terminology. These proposed amendments align with recent amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) and are intended to remove an emphasis, in certain places, on the use of animal testing as the only scientific methodology to assess the safety of a drug in the nonclinical setting. These changes may also foster the development and use of scientifically valid new testing methodologies, potentially improving predictive accuracy of product safety testing while replacing, reducing, or refining animal use. The proposed rule would add no new requirements.

Action & Dates

Action
Proposed rule.
Dates
Either electronic or written comments on the proposed rule or its companion direct final rule must be submitted by December 7, 2026. If FDA receives any timely significant adverse comments on this proposed rule or the direct final rule with which this proposed rule is associated, we will publish a document in the Federal Register withdrawing the direct final rule within 30 days after the comment period ends, and we will then proceed to respond to comments under this proposed rule using the usual notice and comment procedures.

CFR References

Topics

Administrative practice and procedureBiologicsConfidential business informationDrugsExportsImportsInvestigationsLabelingMedical researchPrescription drugsRadiation protectionReporting and recordkeeping requirementsSafety

Public Comment

Comments Close
2026-12-07 — Open for comment

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Parts 312, 314, 315, 361, and 601 [Docket No. FDA-2026-N-5347] RIN 0910-AJ27 ( printed page 60036) AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is proposing to substitute references to “animal” tests or studies with “nonclinical” tests or studies, add a definition of the terms “nonclinical test” and “nonclinical study,” and make other comparable or conforming amendments in certain safety and reporting sections of its regulations. The proposed rule would also substitute “nonclinical” for “preclinical” and “in vitro” for consistency in terminology. These proposed amendments align with recent amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) and are intended to remove an emphasis, in certain places, on the use of animal testing as the only scientific methodology to assess the safety of a drug in the nonclinical setting. These changes may also foster the development and use of scientifically valid new testing methodologies, potentially improving predictive accuracy of product safety testing while replacing, reducing, or refining animal use. The proposed rule would add no new requirements. DATES: Either electronic or written comments on the proposed rule or its companion direct …

Read full document on FederalRegister.gov →

Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 60036

Nonclinical Testing Terminology — Federal Register 2026-19349 | Open Gov by Base