Research Involving Animals – Division of Biomedical Services
Legislative responsibilities
The use of animals in experiments and testing is regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).
The Act was revised as part of the transposition of the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The revised legislation came into force on 1 January 2013. ASPA is implemented by the Home Office in England, Scotland and Wales and by the Department for Health, Social Security and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.
National Institutes of Health
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
Institutions outside the U.S. who receive Public Health Service (PHS) funds directly through a grant or contract awarded to them, are requested to hold an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) (through the National Institutes of Health) approved assurance, prior to carrying out any activity that involves live vertebrate animals.
Foreign assurances are negotiated with institutions that:
- control their own animal facilities
- conduct animal research on-site
- have an animal care and use program with an authorised institutional signing official
The University of Leicester is listed on the Foreign Institutions of Health website and hold a PHS Approved Animal Welfare Assurance.