Benefits of AAALAC International Accreditation
Here are a few of the benefits of earning accreditation ...
It symbolizes quality
Organizations and companies often look for ways to communicate their commitment to excellence. Many programs and certifications, such as ISO 9000, exist to help meet and exhibit quality goals. In the scientific community, AAALAC International accreditation shows that an institution is serious about setting, achieving, and maintaining high standards for animal care and use in science. More than 750 institutions in 29 countries have earned AAALAC International accreditation, making it a symbol of quality recognized around the world.
It promotes scientific validity
When scientific research involves animals, reliable results depend on superior animal care and use programs. AAALAC International accreditation engages scientists, managers and administrators in an independent, rigorous assessment of their institution’s animal program—an assessment that ultimately results in better research practices and outcomes.
It’s a recruiting tool
AAALAC International accredited institutions can use their accreditation as a recruiting tool to attract the best and brightest researchers and professors. Talented professionals
look for high quality programs. Accreditation assures potential employees that the institution is dedicated to achieving the highest standards for animal care and use.
It demonstrates accountability
Today, companies and organizations are held to very high levels of accountability—by their own constituents and the general public. Although animal research is a controversial issue for some, most people support biomedical research if it’s conducted in a humane manner. Accreditation through AAALAC International is voluntary and demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond the minimums required by law. It tells the public that the institution is committed to the responsible care and use of animals in science.
It provides a confidential peer-review
Accreditation requires an institution to perform its own self-evaluation (an extremely valuable exercise for management). Next, a team of highly qualified professionals provides a confidential, onsite evaluation of the institution’s animal care and
use program. The independent review assures management that a research program is applying the standards it promised.
It impresses funding sources
Many private biomedical organizations, including the American Heart Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, strongly recommend that grantees be supported
by animal programs with AAALAC International accreditation. Government agencies such as the NIH, NASA, Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and the National Science Foundation, regard AAALAC International accreditation as evidence of a commitment to program excellence. The bottom line: private and public funding sources view AAALAC International accreditation as assurance that animal use will be
justified and humane, and that appropriate regulations and policies will be followed.
It shows a real commitment to humane animal care
Accreditation shows the world that an institution is serious about its commitment to humane animal care. It’s an investment that reaps the benefits outlined here, and
more.
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