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Semiannual Facility Inspections

The Health Research Extension Act, Animal Welfare Regulations, and PHS Policy require that IACUCs conduct semiannual facility inspections. 

In the report Reducing Administrative Burden for Researchers: Animal Care and Use in Research, developed in response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA have clarified existing flexibilities for conducting semiannual facility inspections while maintaining protection for research animals and data integrity (see NOT-OD-24-075). 

Policies and Laws

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Health Research Extension Act of 1985 Sec. 495 (b)(3)(A): "Each animal care committee of a research entity shall review the care and treatment of animals in animal study areas and facilities of the research entity at least semiannually to evaluate compliance with applicable guidelines established under subsection (a) for appropriate animal care and treatment;"

PHS Policy IV.A.2.: "Each institution must assure that its program and facilities are in one of the following categories:

Category 1 - Accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC). All of the institution's programs and facilities (including satellite facilities) for activities involving animals have been evaluated and accredited by AAALAC, or another accrediting body recognized by the PHS.4  All of the institution's programs and facilities (including satellite facilities) for activities involving animals have also been evaluated by the IACUC and will be reevaluated by the IACUC at least once every six months, in accordance with IV.B.1. and 2. of this Policy, and reports prepared in accordance with IV.B.3. of this Policy.

Category 2 - Evaluated by the Institution. All of the institution's programs and facilities (including satellite facilities) for activities involving animals have been evaluated by the IACUC. These programs and facilities will be reevaluated by the IACUC at least once every six months, in accordance with IV.B.1. and 2. of this Policy, and reports will be prepared in accordance with IV.B.3. of this Policy. The most recent semiannual report of the IACUC evaluation shall be submitted to OLAW with the Assurance.​"

PHS Policy IV.B.: "As an agent of the institution, the IACUC shall with respect to PHS-conducted or supported activities:

2. inspect at least once every six months all of the institution's animal facilities (including satellite facilities) using the Guide as a basis for evaluation;

3. prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations conducted as required by IV.B.1. and 2. of this Policy, and submit the reports to the Institutional Official; 8 "

Definitions

PHS Policy III.B.: "Animal Facility - Any and all buildings, rooms, areas, enclosures, or vehicles, including satellite facilities, used for animal confinement, transport, maintenance, breeding, or experiments inclusive of surgical manipulation. A satellite facility is any containment outside of a core facility or centrally designated or managed area in which animals are housed for more than 24 hours."

A pole with three signals: guidance, assistance and support

Guidance

Notice NumberDescriptionDate
NOT-OD-24-075

Guidance on Flexibilities for Conducting Semiannual Inspections of Animal Facilities

(This replaces rescinded Notice NOT-OD-21-164 with the same name and the associated clarification NOT-OD-22-048)

March 22, 2024
NOT-OD-00-007Office of Extramural Research Guidance Regarding Reduction of Regulatory Burden in Laboratory Animal Welfare December 21, 1999

Resources

FAQs

FAQ E.1 Should the IACUC inspect laboratories or other sites where investigators use animals?

Institutions are responsible for oversight of all animal-related activities regardless of how long or where the activity occurs. Satellite facilities (defined by PHS Policy as a containment outside a core or centrally managed area in which animals are housed for more than 24 hours) and areas where any form of surgical manipulations (minor, major, survival, non-survival) are performed must be inspected at least once every six months by the IACUC as part of the semiannual evaluation. Institutions have discretion with regard to how they oversee areas used for routine weighing, dosing, immunization, or imaging, but should monitor such areas on a random or fixed schedule to effectively oversee activities at the institution. USDA requires semi-annual inspection of “animal study areas” defined as areas where USDA covered animals are housed for more than 12 hours. [A1, A7]

FAQ E.2 How does the IACUC distinguish between significant and minor deficiencies?

PHS Policy requires the IACUC to make this distinction in its semiannual reports to the Institutional Official. A significant deficiency is defined as one which is or may be a threat to the health or safety of animals. Examples include inoperable HVAC, electrical or watering systems, failure of such systems sufficient to affect critical housing and operational areas, and situations such as natural disasters that cause injury, death, or severe distress to animals. Significant program deficiencies can result from an institution's failure to fully understand or implement some aspect of its animal care and use program required by the PHS Policy, or failure to function according to commitments made in its Assurance, and may reach the level of reportable noncompliance. Generally, a minor deficiency refers to a problem for which an immediate solution is not necessary to protect life or prevent distress (e.g., peeling or chipped paint). Ongoing inattention to a minor deficiency may result in a chronic problem indicative of a programmatic failure and may constitute a significant deficiency. [A7]

FAQ E.3 May the IACUC use an AAALAC International site visit as its semiannual evaluation?

See paragraph entitled “Utilization of AAALAC activities as Semiannual Program Evaluation” in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts NOT-OD-00-007.

FAQ E.4 Is the IACUC required to inspect field study sites?

While semiannual IACUC inspections of field study sites are not required and in many circumstances are impractical, IACUCs should be apprised of the circumstances under which studies are conducted so that they can consider risks to personnel and impact on study subjects. This may be partially accomplished by written descriptions, photographs, or videos that document specified aspects of the study site. The IACUC should also ensure that appropriate permits are in place. USDA animal welfare regulations exempt areas containing free-living wild animals in their natural habitat from inspection [See Quick Reference Guide: 9 CFR, Part 2, Section 2.31(c)(2)].

See also FAQ A6: Does the PHS Policy apply to research that is conducted in the field?

Webinars

Webinar LinkWebinar Date
Facility InspectionsJune 28, 2018
Physical Plant IssuesMarch 11, 2010
What Every IACUC Should Know About AAALAC InternationalJune 11, 2009

Articles

TitleDescriptionDate
Lab Animal 49(08)Algae in abundance: au natural, or a violation of Xenopus husbandry standards?2020
Lab Animal 41(3)Disagreement between the IO and IACUC2012
Lab Animal 41(2)IACUC approval of SOPs.2012
Contemporary Topics 36(2): 47-50Question 8: In conducting its semiannual facility reviews, is it necessary for our IACUC to consider laboratories or other sites where animal procedures or holding activities are conducted only sporadically or for periods of less than 24 h? How does our IACUC determine whether to follow the requirements of the PHS or the USDA regarding the definition of “study area”?1997
ILAR News 33(4): 67-70Question 5: In fulfilling its requirements under PHS Policy and USDA regulations, must the IACUC inspect every laboratory or other site where investigators use animals?1991
ILAR News 33(4): 67-70Question 6: The PHS Policy requires semiannual IACUC inspection of all facilities where animals are held for 24 hours or more, while the USDA regulations require such inspection of sites where animals are kept for 12 hours or more. How should our IACUC deal with this discrepancy?1991
OPRR Reports 90(2)Dear Colleague letter regarding the semiannual report to the Institutional Official1990

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