Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
and Human Services (HHS)
June 30, 2020
NOT-OD-20-143 - Grant and Contract Submission Requirements Regarding the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
NOT-OD-20-069 - Request for Information (RFI) on Implementation of the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health (OD)
This Notice provides information to Assured institutions on the response to NOT-OD-20-069: Request for Information (RFI) on Implementation of the Updated American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition.
Background
The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) oversees Public Health Service (PHS)-funded animal activities by the authority of the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy). The PHS Policy, IV.C.1.g., requires that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) reviewing PHS-conducted or -supported research projects determine that methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.
Implementation of the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals
On January 15, 2020, the AVMA issued and posted an update to the Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition, the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition. OLAW encourages Assured institutions to begin using the 2020 Guidelines when reviewing research projects as soon as possible and expects full implementation after October 1, 2020. Previously approved projects undergoing continuing review according to PHS Policy, IV.C.5., which requires a complete review at least once every three years, must be reviewed using the 2020 Guidelines after October 1, 2020.
Public Comment
On February 24, 2020, the NIH issued an RFI in Federal Register Notice 2020-03607 and NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-20-069, to solicit input from the public on their concerns with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition. The NIH received eight comments from the public during the 60-day comment period that ended April 29, 2020. All comments have been submitted by OLAW to the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia for their consideration.
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
Telephone: 301-496-7163
Email: [email protected]