Who can restrict or withdraw approval of the Animal Welfare Assurance if an institution fails at its responsibilities?

Who can restrict or withdraw approval of the Animal Welfare Assurance if an institution fails at its responsibilities?

• A. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
• B. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• C. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• D. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Answer: (A)

Authority to enforce the Animal Welfare Assurance lies with the Office of Laboratory Welfare, which administers the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. When an institution fails to meet its responsibilities, OLAW can restrict or withdraw the Assurance, potentially ending or limiting PHS funding for animal research at that site until corrective actions are completed. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee operates within the institution to review and oversee animal care and use, but it does not have the power to withdraw the Assurance itself; it identifies issues and works toward compliance, reporting to OLAW as needed. The USDA handles enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act for non-PHS-related activities and can suspend or revoke registrations, which is a separate regulatory path from the PHS Assurance. The FDA’s role relates to specific product and regulatory considerations and does not manage the Assurance approval.

Authority to enforce the Animal Welfare Assurance lies with the Office of Laboratory Welfare, which administers the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. When an institution fails to meet its responsibilities, OLAW can restrict or withdraw the Assurance, potentially ending or limiting PHS funding for animal research at that site until corrective actions are completed. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee operates within the institution to review and oversee animal care and use, but it does not have the power to withdraw the Assurance itself; it identifies issues and works toward compliance, reporting to OLAW as needed. The USDA handles enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act for non-PHS-related activities and can suspend or revoke registrations, which is a separate regulatory path from the PHS Assurance. The FDA’s role relates to specific product and regulatory considerations and does not manage the Assurance approval.