Animals used for scientific purposes

Introduction

The protection and welfare of animals is an area covered by a wide range of EU legislation. This includes the protection of wildlife, zoo animals, farm animals, animals in transport and animals used for scientific purposes. Animal studies, whether for the development or production of new medicines, for physiological studies, for studying environmental effects or for the testing of chemicals or new food additives, must be carried out in compliance with EU legislation.

Since 1986, the EU has had specific legislation covering the use of animals for scientific purposes. On 22 September 2010 the EU adopted Directive 2010/63/EU which updated and replaced the 1986 Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The aim of the Directive is to strengthen legislation, and improve the welfare of those animals still needed to be used, as well as to firmly anchor the principle of the Three Rs, to Replace, Reduce and Refine the use of animals, in EU legislation. The EU Directive is unique in the world because it sets as its ultimate goal the full replacement of use of animals for scientific purposes.

The Directive took effect on 1 January 2013. In 2019, it was further amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1010 to incorporate ambitious goals for reporting and transparency to help progress towards the ultimate goal. The amendments have been included in the consolidated text of Directive 2010/63/EU (as amended Regulation (EU) 2019/1010). For reference, the recitals to the Directive can be found in the original Directive 2010/63/EU.

Latest updates

The EU report on the 2019 statistics on the use of animals for scientific purposes has been released. Data can also be reviewed using ALURES Statistical EU Database.
Save the date for the next EPAA annual conference – more on the events page
Several updates to Related topics-page including the latest EURL ECVAM Progress Reports and Reviews on advanced non-animal models in biomedical research
Information added on the EP Preparatory Action to support education and training activities on the implementation of non-animal alternatives and the Three Rs
The European Commission response to the European Parliament resolution on plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education has been published
New events added on the events page, including new online ESLAV Workshop on Severity Assessment Framework
Comprehensive guidance on how to deal with Genetically Altered Animals under the Directive, endorsed by National Contact Points, is now available in English
Guidance document on how to draft meaningful and complete Non-technical Project Summaries, endorsed by National Contact Points, is now available in English
The Conference Report and presentations are now available for the 2021 European Commission Scientific Conference: Towards replacement of animals for scientific purposes”
Belgium provided an updated report on their Three Rs efforts
The first version of the ALURES NTS EU Database is launched! Non-technical project summaries (NTS) of projects authorised by the Member States since 1.1.2021 can now be searched using the EU database. Together with statistical data, they provide a unique level of transparency on animal-based research and testing in Europe.
The 2018 statistical data on the use of animals for scientific purposes has been released. Data, now also submitted by Norway, can be reviewed using ALURES Statistical EU Database, or by the accompanying 2018 Summary Report.
Discover new open access education and training tools to facilitate the implementation of the Directive and make progress with the Three Rs and non-animal alternatives. Find out more on our new dedicated page for education and training.
FELASA2022 Congress is added on the events page
The ALURES Statistical EU Database is launched! It offers free access to all interested in obtaining more information on animal use in the EU. The database is supported by a downloadable leaflet and a video.
As part of a series of studies to review non-animal models and methods in various disease areas, EURL ECVAM has published a freely available knowledge base with descriptions of over 900 non-animal models for neurodegenerative diseases
EPAA 2021 Refinement prize for a laboratory technician, animal care-taker or technologist who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in new, novel approaches to advance implementation and/or awareness raising of Refinement of animal testing – deadline 6 September
EPAA 2021 Student grants support students and young scientists with outstanding work in the field of alternative approaches for attending a high-profile scientific events.
The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) Opinion on “Ethics of Genome Editing” has been uploaded
As part of a series of studies to review non-animal models and methods in various disease areas, EURL ECVAM has published a freely available knowledge base with descriptions of over 900 non-animal models for breast cancer research
Recordings of a series of webinars on non-animal-derived mono- and polyclonal antibodies, co-organised by EURL ECVAM, are available for viewing
As part of a series of studies to review non-animal models and methods in various disease areas, EURL ECVAM has published a freely available knowledge base with descriptions of nearly 300 non-animal models used for respiratory disease research
Commission Joint Research Centre Science for Policy Report “EURL ECVAM Recommendation on non-animal-derived antibodies” is published

The Commission's response to the Citizens' Initiative "Stop Vivisection" has been adopted
- Press Release
- Communication

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