Our approach to animal testing

Our industry is not a big user of animal tests. And while new testing methods in some areas have been developed to avoid using animals, there are still instances where animals are still needed to test the safety of our oil and chemical products. 

Our approach in this area is governed by the 3Rs: Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement.

• Reduce the number of animals used in product safety testing. We minimise the number of animals used, as far as we can, without compromising safety, by working with other companies whenever possible and by sharing our results to prevent unnecessary duplication.
• Refine test methods to make them as humane as possible. Tests commissioned by Shell mainly use laboratory-bred rats, mice and fish and do not involve cats, dogs or monkeys. We commission safety testing only at licensed or accredited research facilities whose animal welfare standards are enforced by independent inspection.  Laboratories must also comply with the internationally accepted operating principles of Good Laboratory Practice.
• Replace animal tests with alternative methods where possible. We never commission animal testing where there are other reliable means of establishing the safety of products. We particpiate in several organisations that promote the development of new animal-free testing methods. For example, we actively support the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) in the UK and the Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) in the USA.

Animal testing review panel

A panel composed of external experts, assisted by Shell representatives, review and comment on our animal testing standard, management processes, and progress made on our commitment to minimise the amount of animal testing. The panel reports to Shell on an annual basis and critically examines how we report on our use of animals and the reasons for individual programmes. The panel is also working with us to ensure best practice in laboratories and discuss our support for the development and applications of the 3Rs.

Animal testing review panel reports 2004 - 2009