Frequently asked questions
What is AAALAC?
AAALAC International (the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. More than 850 institutions around the world have earned AAALAC International accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. They include universities, hospitals, government agencies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and other types of research organizations. AAALAC has been working to promote animal well-being and enhance life sciences research and education since 1965.
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How is AAALAC governed?
AAALAC is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board consists of more than 60 prestigious scientific, educational and professional organizations—they are referred to as AAALAC's "member organizations." Each member organization appoints a representative to serve a three-year term on the AAALAC Board. By actively involving major organizations, AAALAC International remains responsive to the issues that members face, while making sure that members of the scientific community understand and support the AAALAC International accreditation program.
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What is the Council on Accreditation?
The Council on Accreditation is at the heart of AAALAC's mission and work. The Council is comprised of highly accomplished animal care and use professionals and researchers from around the globe who conduct the program evaluations that determine which institutions are awarded AAALAC accreditation. Their responsibilities include conducting site visits, reviewing site visit reports, evaluating information and reviewing yearly reports from accredited institutions. The Council is divided into North American and European Sections.
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How does someone become a Council member?
Council members are appointed by the Board and are typically selected from AAALAC's pool of ad hoc Consultants (see next question). Potential new members are nominated by current Council members, Board members, or colleagues from AAALAC member organizations. Council members are highly qualified and knowledgeable about diverse animal program and management issues. Many are veterinarians or animal care and use professionals.
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What are ad hoc Consultants?
AAALAC maintains a world-wide pool of more than 180 ad hoc Consultants who have expertise beyond the realm of traditional laboratory animal species (such as marine, avian or agricultural). Many also have unique discipline competencies, such as applied neuroscience, behavioral science, toxicology, pharmacology or physiology. Ad hoc Consultants accompany Council members on site visits and make recommendations to the Council. These specialists add depth to the site visit team—they understand the intricacies of combining research, testing and educational missions with animal well-being.
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How does someone become an ad hoc Consultant?
Individuals who want to become an ad hoc Consultant express their interest in writing in a letter to the AAALAC International office. They then complete and return an application to become a Consultant. Once a year, a committee of the Board and Council reviews all applications and recommends nominees based on established selection guidelines. Ad hoc Consultants must have a minimum of four years training or experience in the care or use of laboratory animals. Their experience must show that they have acquired knowledge of performance standards and regulations, and have demonstrated an interest in, and commitment to, laboratory animal science. Ad hoc Consultants serve a three-year term.
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How many animal care and use programs are accredited?
Currently, more than 850 animal care and use programs in 32* countries have earned AAALAC International accreditation. These programs include academic institutions, commercial organizations, agricultural research programs, government agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
* AAALAC accredited institutions can be found in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, P.R. China, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan/R.O.C., Thailand, The Netherlands, United States and Vietnam.
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Does AAALAC make its own regulations and policies?
No, AAALAC is not a regulatory body and does not make or enforce regulations. Instead, AAALAC relies on widely accepted guidelines, such as the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals(NRC 1996), and other reference resources. AAALAC does, however, publish "position statements" that can be used as supplemental guidelines in dealing with certain issues, such as the use of farm animals, occupational health and safety, or adequate veterinary care. AAALAC also publishes "Rules of Accreditation," a document that lists the minimum criteria institutions must meet before they can apply for accreditation.
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How extensive is an AAALAC evaluation?
AAALAC evaluates all aspects of an animal care and use "program." An animal program (as defined by AAALAC) includes an organization's procedures and overall performance in the area of animal care and use in research, education, testing or breeding. The basic components that are evaluated include (but are not limited to) institutional policies, animal husbandry, veterinary care and the physical plant.
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Are small programs eligible?
Yes. AAALAC encourages every animal program, large or small, to achieve the highest standards for responsible animal care and use. The standards used to evaluate programs are universal, and can be implemented in programs of any size. Likewise, programs using nontraditional research animals, such as fish or birds, are also encouraged to seek accreditation.
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Are agricultural animal programs eligible?
Yes. Programs that use agricultural animals in biomedical, behavioral or agricultural research are eligible for accreditation. The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching (FASS 1997), is used by AAALAC site visitors to evaluate agricultural programs.
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How much does accreditation cost?
Organizations pay a one-time application fee and subsequent annual fees. Both of these charges are based on a sliding scale that corresponds with the size of an institution's animal facility. An institution that has very few animals will pay much smaller fees than one that maintains a large vivarium and extensive support areas. The fees cover the cost of periodic site visits and administrative expenses. (See our fee schedule for details.)
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Does AAALAC use the same standards to evaluate animal programs outside of the U.S.?
Because each country has its own set of laws and regulations, AAALAC site visitors use a customized approach for evaluating programs outside of the United States. Evaluators take into account applicable laws and regulations, and the overall performance of the program as it relates to animal welfare. They also evaluate the extent to which the program is adhering to the principles outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other international standards including the European Union's Directive 86/609/EEC.
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What references does AAALAC use?
The principal references used to evaluate animal programs are the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the European Union's Directive 86/609/EEC. Supplemental references are used to provide information on specialty topics and widely accepted scientific practices, procedures and techniques. See our complete list of reference resources.
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What deficiencies are noted most often by AAALAC?
The number and frequency of deficiencies found during site visits continues to decline. In fact, the vast majority of institutions renewing their accreditation are immediately awarded "Continued Full Accreditation." (A decade ago, only 37 percent of renewing institutions received this distinction.) When problem areas are cited, they most frequently involve the IACUC (the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees), also called the Ethics Committee or Animal Care Committee. Other common deficiencies include inadequate heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and employee occupational health and safety concerns.
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How does AAALAC ensure confidentiality?
Unlike many government regulatory systems, the entire accreditation process is confidential. The accreditation evaluation and its results are kept between the organization seeking accreditation and AAALAC International—even if deficiencies are found. AAALAC's purpose is to provide a peer-evaluation that results in valuable information organizations can use to improve their programs and achieve new levels of excellence. Board and Council members, ad hoc Consultants and AAALAC staff are all required to sign confidentiality agreements. Conflict-of-interest statements are also signed by each site visitor. AAALAC representatives agree to treat all materials as privileged, and safeguard the materials in their possession. Of course, accredited organizations are free to share their AAALAC reports if they choose to do so.
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