Testing strategies for the prediction of skin and eye irritation and corrosion for regulatory purposes

This report reviews the use of stepwise testing approaches for the prediction of skin and eye irritation and corrosion in a regulatory context. It is published as a companion report to the Review of Literature-Based Models for Skin and Eye Irritation and Corrosion, an ECB report which reviewed the state-of-the-art of in silico and in vitro dermal and ocular irritation and corrosion human health hazard endpoints. In the former review, the focus was placed on reviewing alternative in silico approaches to assess acute local toxic effects, such as QSARs, SARs, chemical categories, and read-across and analogue approaches. Special emphasis was placed on literature-based (Q)SAR models for skin and eye irritation and corrosion and expert systems. In the present review, the emphasis is on different schemes (testing strategies) that have been conceived for the integrated use of different approaches, including in silico, in vitro and in vivo methods