Which process ensures laboratory animal programs meet established standards for care and use?

Which process ensures laboratory animal programs meet established standards for care and use?

• A. Accreditation
• B. Certification
• C. Licensing
• D. Registration

Answer: (A)

Accreditation is the process by which a laboratory animal program demonstrates that it meets established standards for all aspects of animal care and use, and it does so through an external review by peers and ongoing monitoring. This evaluation looks at facilities, husbandry, veterinary care, training, policies, record-keeping, and the oversight role of the IACUC, ensuring consistent quality and continuous improvement. It is typically voluntary and signals a high level of commitment beyond basic regulatory compliance. Licensing usually refers to government permission to operate a facility, certification often applies to individuals or specific competencies, and registration is mainly a listing with a regulatory body—none of these capture the comprehensive external verification of overall program quality that accreditation provides.

Accreditation is the process by which a laboratory animal program demonstrates that it meets established standards for all aspects of animal care and use, and it does so through an external review by peers and ongoing monitoring. This evaluation looks at facilities, husbandry, veterinary care, training, policies, record-keeping, and the oversight role of the IACUC, ensuring consistent quality and continuous improvement. It is typically voluntary and signals a high level of commitment beyond basic regulatory compliance. Licensing usually refers to government permission to operate a facility, certification often applies to individuals or specific competencies, and registration is mainly a listing with a regulatory body—none of these capture the comprehensive external verification of overall program quality that accreditation provides.