This is the European Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes which was adopted on 22 September 2010.
S.I. No. 543 of 2012 – European Union (Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes) Regulations 2012
European Directive 2010/63/EU was transposed into Irish law as statutory instrument 543 of 2012 and the HPRA is the competent authority for these Regulations.
S.I No. 434 of 2013
This is a short amendment to S.I. No. 543 of 2012, which established the National Committee on 1 December 2013 and made other minor changes.
S.I. No. 174 of 2014
This is a further short amendment to S.I. No. 543 of 2012, which gives effect to the establishment of a common reporting format for statistical information to the EU.
European Commission (EC)
EC website for animals used for scientific purposes
The EC website contains useful information regarding the implementation of the legislation, the 3Rs, statistics and latest updates.
EC publications and guidance material
This page of the EC website provides a link to free downloadable colour posters and guidance documents on important topics including: animal welfare bodies, education and training, inspection and enforcement, project evaluation and retrospective assessment, as well as severity assessment.
Since 2021, the non-technical project summaries from all Member States are published on the open access ALURES NTS EU Database. Annual statistical returns from all Member States are published on the ALURES Statistical EU Database, which offers free access to those interested in obtaining more information on animal use in the EU.
Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs)
Please see our 3Rs page which contains a number of useful links.
Laboratory Animal Organisations
Irish Laboratory Animal Science Association (ILASA)
ILASA’s aim is to promote high ethical and welfare standards in the use of animals for scientific purposes, and the website contains information about membership and the latest updates.
Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA)
FELASA represents common interests in the furtherance of all aspects of laboratory animal science and beyond. The website provides access to useful guidelines, recommendations and reports which are published by expert working groups on topics such as health monitoring, training and education, transgenics, veterinary care of laboratory animals and ethical review.
Institute of Animal Technology (IAT)
The IAT website contains information about the use of animals in research and careers in animal technology.
Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA)
The LASA website contains information about membership, the UK legislation, openness on animal research, as well as useful publications on topics including: severe suffering, good practice for animal welfare bodies and ethics committees, and a guide on aseptic surgery.
Laboratory Animals Veterinary Association (LAVA)
LAVA is a non-territorial specialist division of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), intended for veterinarians with an interest in laboratory animals, and membership is required to access resources.
ESLAV ECLAM website
This joint website is for members of the European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians (ESLAV) and the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ECLAM).
Education and Training
Use of live animals for scientific, educational or other purposes
This weblink, which is hosted by the Department of Education and Skills and has been developed in cooperation with the HPRA, provides information on the use of animals in primary and secondary schools in Ireland.
Please click on our Training Requirements & Courses page for links to course providers.