The SciRAP tool for in vivo toxicity studies
The SciRAP tool for evaluating the reliability and relevance of in vivo toxicity studies is primarily based on the recommendations and requirements set out in the relevant OECD test guidelines for such tests.
The evaluation of the reliability of in vivo studies allows for evaluation of reporting quality and methodological quality, separately. To evaluate their scientific soundness, relevance and user-friendliness, the criteria have been reviewed by experts in toxicity testing and risk assessment from research institutions in Europe and the USA, and by authorities such as the Swedish Chemicals Agency, and the US EPA. The tool was first published by Beronius et al. (2014), and the updated version was published by Beronius et al. (2018). In collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark, an additional tool - SciRAPplastic - was developed for evaluating in vivo studies of micro- and nanoplastic materials (Due et al., 2026).
Assessment sheet and document for importing and visualizing data from several workbooks are available as Excel files here. Instructions are available in PDF format. Notice to users: Document for importing and visualizing data from several workbooks requires enabling macros in your Excel program on your computer.
Tools and guidance
Log of tool updates
References
Beronius A, Molander L, Rudén C, Hanberg A. 2014. Facilitating the use of non-standard in vivo studies in health risk assessment of chemicals – a proposal to improve evaluation criteria and reporting. J Appl Toxicol. 34(6):607-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2991
Beronius A, Molander L, Zilliacus J, Rudén C, Hanberg A. 2018. Testing and refining the Science in Risk Assessment and Policy (SciRAP) web-based platform for evaluating the reliability and relevance of in vivo toxicity studies. J Appl Toxicol. 38:1460-1470. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.3648
Due, I., Beronius, A., Baun, A., & Hartmann, N. B. 2026. SciRAPplastic and plasticCRED: tailoring existing tools to assess micro-and nanoplastics (eco) toxicity studies. Microplastics and Nanoplastics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00151-8