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AAALAC International

AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through a voluntary accreditation program, a program status evaluation service, and educational programs. For more than 50 years, the scientific community has actively—and voluntarily—participated in AAALAC's accreditation program. Participating institutions receive an independent, unbiased expert assessment, and those that meet or exceed applicable standards are awarded accreditation. More than 1,000 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in countries around the world have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These institutions volunteer to participate in AAALAC's program, in addition to complying with the local, state and federal laws that regulate animal research.

Beginnings... The program started in 1965, when leading veterinarians and researchers organized the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), as a private, nonprofit organization. In the years that followed, AAALAC accredited hundreds of organizations across the United States, raising the benchmark for laboratory animal care to new heights. Adoption in other countries and by agricultural and wildlife programs In 1996, AAALAC changed its name to the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International). The name change reflected the organization's recognition in other countries, and its commitment to enhancing life sciences and quality animal care around the world. Today, more than 1,000 organizations in countries around the world are accredited by AAALAC International. In 2016 AAALAC ceased spelling out its acronym in favor of simply using "AAALAC International" as its legal, official name. As AAALAC's accreditation program has grown to encompass many wildlife and agricultural animal research programs, dropping the use of the word "laboratory" in conjunction with AAALAC allows for greater inclusivity. AAALAC Member Organizations More than 60 prestigious scientific, educational and other professional organizations are members of AAALAC International. These "Member Organizations" include the American Heart Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations, European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians, the National Association for Biomedical Research, the National Centre for the Replacement and Refinement of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and the Society of Toxicology. Participation as a Member Organization demonstrates commitment to the responsible and humane use of animals in science.

The Council on Accreditation The Council on Accreditation is the group responsible for evaluating animal programs and determining their accreditation status. Members of the Council are chosen to serve based on their extensive experience in the fields of veterinary medicine, laboratory animal science or animal research, and their commitment to humane animal care and use. The Council is divided into North American, Pacific Rim and European Sections.

Ad hoc Consultants/Specialists The Council conducts on-site visits and extensive evaluations, and provides ongoing advice to help organizations achieve and maintain accreditation. The Council also appoints a roster of ad hoc Consultants/Specialists. The more than 300 Consultants/Specialists located around the globe assist the Council members with their evaluations and provide expertise in specific areas, such as management, international regulations, or certain scientific specialties.

Adhering to "Three Primary Standards" Along with meeting all applicable local and national regulations, AAALAC accredited institutions must also demonstrate that they are achieving the standards outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide, NRC 2011); the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (Ag Guide, FASS 2010); and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes, Council of Europe (ETS 123). The standards in the Guide go above and beyond what is required by law. Since 1975, AAALAC International has also referred to other specialty publications for supplemental information about procedures or techniques related to the care and use of laboratory animals. These specialty publications are designated as Reference Resources. References included on this list have been formally reviewed and adopted by AAALAC International's Council on Accreditation as guidance for accredited units as well as the AAALAC International representatives during the site visit. Additionally, these references may be utilized during Council deliberations when discussing issues identified during site visits. When applicable, clarifying notes are appended to the reference, to provide additional information on any exclusions or clarification in the reference.

Scope AAALAC evaluates all aspects of an animal care and use program. An animal program (as defined by AAALAC International) includes an organization’s procedures and overall performance in animal care and use. The basic components that are evaluated include (but are not limited to) institutional policies, animal husbandry, veterinary care, and physical plant.

Maintaining accreditation Once accredited, an institution must file an Annual Report with AAALAC International, noting any changes and the current condition of the animal care and use program. Each accredited institution is revisited and re-evaluated once every three years in order to maintain its accredited status.

The value of accreditation Institutions choose to participate in the AAALAC accreditation program for a variety of reasons. Some use accreditation as a symbol of quality—it shows that an institution is serious about setting, achieving and maintaining high standards for animal research programs. AAALAC accreditation also promotes scientific validity—when research involves animals, reliable results depend on healthy animals and superior animal care. And perhaps most importantly, accreditation demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond the minimums required by law, and assures the public that the institution is committed to the responsible use and treatment of animals in science.

Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International