Notices

OLAW welcomes comments on any of its policy guidance. Comments may be emailed to OLAW at: olaw@od.nih.gov (please insert the title of the specific guidance document in the subject field). All relevant comments will be considered in OLAW decisions on timing and content of revisions to guidance documents, or development of new guidance documents. Comments generally will not result in direct responses from OLAW.

Disclaimer:
OLAW develops and monitors, as well as exercises compliance oversight relative to the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the "PHS Policy"). One of OLAW's primary functions is to advise awarding units and awardee institutions concerning the implementation of the PHS Policy. OLAW often provides this advice by responding to policy-related questions submitted by such units and institutions. The following Notices provide guidance that represents OLAW's current thinking on these topics. This guidance is based on OLAW's experience with the subject matter and draws on best practices followed by the biomedical community regarding the use of research animals. Unless specific statutory or regulatory requirements are cited, the Notices should be viewed as recommendations in that an institution may use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the PHS Policy.

• November 5, 2020: Notice of Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Statement on Oversight of NIH-owned Chimpanzees
• October 2, 2020: Reminder: Annual Reports to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare due December 1, 2020
• August 28, 2020: Request for Information (RFI) on Encouraging AAALAC International-Accredited Institutions to Use Sections of the AAALAC Program Description in the OLAW Animal Welfare Assurance
• July 13, 2020: Grant and Contract Submission Requirements Regarding the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
• June 30, 2020: Public Comments on the Implementation of the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
• May 21, 2020: Notice of Update to the Reporting Period of the Annual Report to OLAW
• April 16, 2020: Notice of Memorandum of Understanding Between NIH and NASA Concerning Laboratory Animal Welfare
• March 16, 2020: Flexibilities for Assured Institutions for Activities of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) Due to COVID-19
• August 28, 2019: Report on Reducing Administrative Burden for Researchers: Animal Care and Use in Research
• January 31, 2019: Report on Site Visits to the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers with Focus on Canine Care and Use in Research
• October 25, 2016: Reports on Site Visits to the National Primate Research Centers and the Federally Supported Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• August 2, 2016: Notice of Change in Animal Welfare Assurance Numbering System
• October 13, 2015: Simplification of the Vertebrate Animals Section of NIH Grant Applications and Contract Proposals
• August 10, 2015: Notice of Memorandum of Understanding Between NIH and NSF Concerning Laboratory Animal Welfare
• June 9, 2015: Guidance on Qualifications of IACUC Nonscientific and Nonaffiliated Members
• March 17, 2015: Notice of Update to the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• December 1, 2014: Notice of Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Policy on Shared Animal Welfare Concerns
• August 26, 2014: Guidance on Significant Changes to Animal Activities
• May 29, 2014: Notice of Change in Criteria for Renewal of Domestic Animal Welfare Assurances
• August 2, 2013: Implementation of the Revised International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals
• February 21, 2013: Notice of Change to Electronic Submission of Final Noncompliance Reports to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
• September 10, 2012: Guidance on Departures from the Provisions of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• March 8, 2012: Change in Criteria for Renewal of Animal Welfare Assurances for Foreign Institutions
• December 2, 2011: Adoption and Implementation of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition
• December 1, 2011: Update of Sample Interinstitutional Assurance
• March 18, 2011: Guidance to Reduce Regulatory Burden for IACUC Administration Regarding Alternate Members and Approval Dates
• September 1, 2010: Clarification on the Roles of NIH Scientific Review Groups (SRG) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) in Review of Vertebrate Animal Research
• August 6, 2010: Report on Site Visits to Chimpanzee Facilities and Associated Resources to Aid Grantee Institutions
• July 14, 2010: Update on Applicability of the Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP)
• June 4, 2010: Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• April 19, 2010: Instructions for Completion and Technical Evaluation of the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) in NIH Contract Proposals
• April 16, 2010: Update of Sample Animal Welfare Assurance for Foreign Institutions
• April 15, 2010: Guidance on Confirming Appropriate Charges to NIH Awards during Periods of Noncompliance for Activities Involving Animals
• March 17, 2010: Instructions for Completion and Peer Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) in NIH Grant Applications and Cooperative Agreements  
• January 8, 2009: Guidance to IACUCs Regarding Use of Designated Member Review (DMR) for Animal Study Proposal Review Subsequent to Full Committee Review (FCR)
• February 15, 2008: Update of Sample Animal Welfare Assurance
• January 26, 2007: NIH Policy on Allowable Costs for Grant Activities Involving Animals when Terms and Conditions are not Upheld
• March 24, 2006: Guidance on Use of Telecommunications for IACUC Meetings
• February 24, 2005: Guidance on Prompt Reporting to OLAW under the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• June 6, 2003: Revised Guidance Regarding IACUC Approval of Changes in Personnel Involved in Animal Activities
• February 12, 2001: Guidance Regarding Administrative IACUC Issues (alternate IACUC members, IACUC review at collaborating institutions) and Efforts to Reduce Regulatory Burden
• February 3, 2000: Guidance Concerning the Production of Monoclonal Antibodies in Animals
• December 21, 1999: Guidance Regarding Reduction of Regulatory Burden
• November 17, 1997: Production of Monoclonal Antibodies Using Mouse Ascites Method
• June 2, 1997: Maintenance of Properly Constituted IACUCs
• May 30, 1997: NASA Principles for the Ethical Care and Use of Animals
• March 8 1995: Sources of Custom Antibody
• Jan 11 1994: Internal Distribution of Animal Welfare Assurances
• May 21 1990: Use of Expedited Protocol Review Procedures by IACUCs
   

• Please send email to olaw@od.nih.gov.