OECD-WNT

The Working Party of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme (OECD-WNT)

The Working Party of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme (WNT) is a key component of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The WNT is responsible for overseeing the development and updating of OECD Test Guidelines, which are internationally recognized standards for the testing of chemicals.

The WNT has an annual meeting, typically in April. See here an overview of the National Coordinators.

The main roles of the WNT include:

• Approving Test Guidelines: The WNT harmonizes and approves Test Guidelines and related documents (e.g. guidance documents) through consensus among member countries and Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) adhering countries. This ensures that the guidelines are accepted and used globally.
• Developing New Guidelines: The WNT develops new Test Guidelines and updates existing ones to reflect the latest scientific advancements and regulatory needs. This includes guidelines for chemical safety, environmental protection, and human health.
• Projects: Gives decisions on new project proposed by Member countries and reviews on-going projects of the Test Guidelens Programme work plan.
• International Collaboration: The WNT facilitates international collaboration among member countries, ensuring that Test Guidelines are developed and implemented consistently across different regulatory frameworks.

The OECD-WNT contributes to the validation of NAMs (New Alternative Methods) through several key initiatives:

• Validation and Standardization: The WNT oversees the validation and standardization of NAMs to ensure they are reliable and reproducible. This involves developing validation reports and conducting expert reviews to demonstrate the reproducibility and accuracy of new methods.
• Guidance Documents: The WNT develops and updates guidance documents, such as the OECD Guidance Document 34, which provides a framework for the validation and international acceptance of new or updated test methods for hazard assessment.
• Emerging Technologies: The WNT supports the integration of emerging technologies into regulatory testing. This includes organizing workshops and stakeholder consultations to discuss the technical validation and regulatory acceptance of new methods.
• International Acceptance: By harmonizing Test Guidelines and promoting the use of NAMs, the WNT ensures that validated methods are accepted and used by regulatory authorities worldwide. This helps facilitate the global adoption of NAMs and reduces the reliance on animal testing.