to expand knowledge of the health effects of environmental agents;

to broaden the spectrum of toxicology information that is obtained on selected chemicals;

to develop and validate assays and protocols, including alternative methods that can reduce or eliminate the use of animals in acute or chronic safety testing;

to establish criteria for the validation and regulatory acceptance of alternative testing and to recommend a process through which scientifically validated alternative methods can be accepted for regulatory use;

to communicate the results of research to government agencies, to medical, scientific, and regulatory communities, and to the public; and

to integrate related activities of the Department of Health and Human Services.