2014/06/26

CIC bioGUNE's Animal Unit renews the accreditation that certifies the use of the highest standards in animal care in biomedical research.

The Animal Unit of the CIC bioGUNE has renewed its "Full Accreditation" by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). 
AAALAC International is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. According to AAALAC (www.aaalac.org), accreditation shows that an institution is committed to excellence and scientific validity through continuous improvement of its animal care and use program while maintaining high standards of animal welfare. CIC bioGUNE is one of only six organizations in Spain accredited by AAALAC, putting the Center in a privileged position to participate in international research projects, for which this accreditation is highly valued.

CIC bioGUNE received AAALAC accreditation in 2008 for the first time and since then it has renewed the accreditation twice every three years. The tri-annual evaluation process begins with a self-evaluation of the animal care and use program of the Center, followed by a visit from AAALAC inspectors that assess all aspects of the program, including those associated with maintenance of the facilities, health, safety and training of the personnel, as well as all ethical and legal issues related to the procedures involving animals.