The Council is comprised of North American and Europea

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AAALAC International History, Programs and Process
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What is AAALAC?

• AAALAC stands for the Association for Assessment
  and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
  International.
• Our mission AAALAC International enhances life
  sciences by promoting the responsible treatment
  of animals used in research, teaching and testing
  through voluntary accreditation and assessment
  programs.

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Origins

• During the post-World War II science boom,
  leading veterinarians and researchers saw the
  need for an independent organization to
  encourage high standards for humane animal care
  and use in science.
• AAALAC was created to meet this need, and was
  incorporated as an independent nonprofit
  organization in 1965.

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Growth

• AAALAC accredits universities, companies,
  government agencies, and nonprofit
  organizations.
• In 1996, AAALAC changed its name to include
  International in order to reflect its growth
  outside the United States.
• Today, more than 700 institutions are accredited
  in 28 different countries.
• AAALAC now has offices in Rockville, Maryland
  (USA), Brussels, Belgium, and Waikoloa, Hawaii.

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International representation

• AAALAC has a multinational Board of Trustees,
  including representation from ICLAS and FELASA.
• Accredited organizations in 28 countries
  including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark,
  Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong,
  Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea,
  Mauritius, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Russia,
  Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland,
  Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, and the United
  States.

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Organization

• 68 Member Organizations govern AAALAC, and are
  represented on the Board of Trustees.
• The 42-member Council on Accreditation carries
  out the accreditation program.
• The Council is comprised of North American and
  European Sections.
• 180 ad hoc Consultants help conduct program
  evaluations.

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Accreditation

• Is completely voluntary and confidential.
• Is performance-based.
• Is a peer-review process.

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Standards

• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
  (NRC 1996)
• EEC 86/609
• CoE Convention
• National legislation
• Reference resources (Ag Guide, AVMA Panel on
  Euthanasia, etc...). Visit www.aaalac.org/resourc
  es.htm

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The process

• AAALAC accredits your entire program which
  includes
• animal care and use policies and responsibilities
  
• animal environment, housing and management
• veterinary medical care
• your physical plant

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The process

• Request an application package or download it
  from www.aaalac.org
• Complete the application and develop a Program
  Description a document that details all
  aspects of your program. (An outline of what to
  include is included in the application package.)
• Receive an objective, peer-review evaluation
  from an AAALAC site-visit team.

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The process

• Receive immediate feedback during your site
  visit exit briefing.
• The site-visit team submits their report to the
  Council on Accreditation.
• Council deliberations take place.
• AAALAC accreditation is awarded.

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Fees

• Fees cover the direct cost of the site visit
  plus administrative expenses.
• There is a one-time application fee.
• Accredited institutions pay an annual fee.
• Fees are currently based on animal facility size.

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Maintaining accreditation

• You must submit an annual program report to
  AAALAC. (The annual report form is mailed to
  you.)
• You must be revisited and re-evaluated once
  every three years.
• Major program changes or deficiencies must be
  reported to AAALAC in between site visits.

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Accreditation

• Provides a confidential, third-party peer review.
• Promotes scientific validity.
• Represents quality.
• Demonstrates accountability.
• Assures funding sources.
• Helps recruit quality people.
• Shows a real commitment to humane animal care.

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What people value most about accreditation

• It assures the credibility of our program
  among funding sources.
• It provides the public with a positive
  image.
• It helps convince management of the need to
  commit resources to maintain a high-quality
  program.

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What people value most about accreditation

• It conveys a high level of professionalism to
  the scientific community.
• Application of AAALAC standards ensures
  high-quality research and animal care, resulting
  in better science.
• Completing the Program Description helps us
  identify weaknesses and self-correct them.

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What people value most about accreditation

• It assures our customers that we have a
  quality program.
• The rigorous peer-review evaluation ensures
  that were doing things right.

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Accreditation also entitles you to

• Receive AAALACs proprietary electronic
  newsletter, the AAALAC E-brief.
• A free subscription to AAALACs Connection
  newsletter.
• Telephone and e-mail consultations.

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Accreditation also entitles you to

• Listing in the online AAALAC Directory of
  Accredited Programs.
• Access to AAALACs Members Only Web site
• Materials to promote your accreditation
• Keeping Connected (a compilation of news
  articles and meeting announcements of interest to
  the animal care community)
• Tools for maintaining your accreditation
• Periodic updates on the accreditation program
  and animal care and use issues.

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Program Status Evaluation

• Separate from the accreditation program.
• Familiarizes you with AAALAC standards and the
  accreditation process.
• Receive an in-depth, on-site assessment.
• Get specific recommendations.
• Advises you of your accreditability often
  used prior to applying for accreditation.

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Contact us

• In the Untied StatesAAALAC International11300
  Rockville PikeSuite 1211Rockville, Maryland
  20852 USAtel 301.231.5353accredit_at_aaalac.org
  
• In EuropeAAALAC InternationalAvenue de
  Tervuren 4021150 Brussels Belgiumtel
  32.2.761.6678accredit_europe_at_aaalac.org

• Pacific Rim OfficeAAALAC International68-3549
  Makana Aloha Pl.Waikoloa, HI 96738tel 808.883.
  2186kbayne_at_aaalac.org

www.aaalac.org