Challenges and Opportunities in Implementation: The AAALAC International Perspective

In spite of the increasing trend for local authorities and international organization to follow the same ethical principles, the regulatory framework on the protection, care, and use of research animals is still heterogeneous. Differences across geopolitical areas exist not only at the legal level but, more important, also at the level of implementation of the existing regulations. In this diverse landscape, AAALAC International uses performance standards to assure harmonization of accredited animal care and use programs globally. Accredited programs must first comply with applicable legislation, which may establish different baseline levels, on top of which performance standards are to be applied for the different animal care and use program areas. To achieve this goal, AAALAC International has given its Council on Accreditation an international composition and perspective that allows better interpretation of the different scenarios. There are a number of challenges and opportunities that may impact the implementation of existing legislation and the accreditation of animal care and use programs across countries. Challenges may relate to financial constraints, administrative burden, or differences between compliance and best practices. Opportunites may be represented by other fields of animal research, the level of development of research in some countries, or increasing interinstitutional collaborations. A description of these challenges and opportunities in North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim from the AAALAC International perspective is discussed in this article.