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OECD: New, Updated and Corrected Test Guidelines – 2026

Published by Céline Janvier at 10 July 2026

OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has published on 2 July 2026, 18 new, updated and corrected test guidelines (in English and French).

To be noted, among the new test guidelines:

Test guideline No. 255, laboratory test to assess the chronic oral toxicity on bumblebees (Bombus spp.).
Test guideline No. 256, field study to assess the short- and long-term effects on earthworms (Oligochaeta, Annelida) in soils.
Test guidelines No. 445A, 446A and 454A, in vitro methods to (i) address the liver metabolism, (ii) understand the genotoxic mechanism(s) and (iii) generate data on the non-EATS mode of action to inform potential endocrine disruption pathways, respectively.

Several test guidelines are updated, notably:

Test guideline No. 201, freshwater alga and cyanobacteria growth inhibition test, with a new algae species added.
Skin sensitisation methods and approaches have also been added to existing test guidelines No. 429, 442D and 497, broadening the range of validated options available.

Corrections have been made to several test guidelines, notably:

Test guidelines No. 442C and 442E to assess skin sensitisation.
Test guideline No. 455 to detect estrogen receptor agonists/antagonists and inform potential endocrine disruption pathways.
Test guidelines No. 494 and 496 to assess eye irritation/damage.