Regional Committees

The European Regional Committee engages in activities aimed at strengthening and developing Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) in European countries with the emphasis on the 3Rs and animal welfare.

Objectives

• Support educational and scientific programs in the region, particularly in institutions or countries who want to develop modern LAS programs.

• Share information on international standards relating to ethical oversight, research animal care and use, experimental design and reporting research results.

• Promote harmonization in the care and use of laboratory animals with the emphasis on animal welfare and scientific quality as part of ethical and reproducible science.
• Support the development of LAS associations within the region.
• Improve communications and encourage the exchange of information between associations within the region and with other regions around the world.
• Establish and maintain appropriate links within local, national, or regional associations as well as other organizations concerned with LAS.
• Encourage openness and fostering of public understanding the research process and the role of laboratory animals.
• Identify any other needs within the region and devise strategies to address them. 

Actions to support the Mission

To support the activities, European Regional Committee

• Facilitates meeting and training sessions, for example by assisting in the organization and providing speakers. 
• Sponsors education and training programs, supported by outside funding, such as:

           - ICLAS grant for Training the Trainer in LAS Education in Europe

           - ICLAS visiting grant for professional development in LAS in Europe

• Seeks financial or in-kind (e.g. hosting organisations) resources to support these activities.
• Shares news on how ICLAS support was used, through follow up reports of the grants 
• Cooperates with FELASA (Federation for Laboratory Animal Science Associations) through the FELASA-ICLAS Liaison Body. This Body explores and develops activities of mutual interest that may benefit the global progress in any area of laboratory animal science. This is achieved through participation in working groups, scientific meetings, and any other joint activity that is considered appropriate by both organizations.