ABSTRACT

The application of (quantitative) structure-activity relationship (Q)SARs in a

regulatory context reflects a need to reduce animal testing, and was a policy aim

in the European Commission’sWhite Paper on a Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy

as a framework for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals

(REACH) (1). This policy makes use of all available relevant information on a

chemical prior to any considerations on further testing, especially prior to any

in vivo testing, e.g., by using (Q)SARs. In subsequent years, a number of papers

have been published on commercially and publicly available (Q)SARs. In the

meantime, criteria for the interpretation and evaluation of (Q)SARs, and corre-

sponding guidance, were established (2).