Application forms and related guidance notes

The three-levels of the licensing system

The use of animals in scientific procedures is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which requires a three-level licensing system - personal licence, project licence and certificate of designation.

Granting licences

Under the 1986 Act, project licences are only granted for specified permissible purposes:

• where there are no non-animal alternatives
• when the benefits expected from the programmes of work are judged to outweigh the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned 
• the number of animals used and their suffering must also be minimised

Applying for a licence

Applicants are strongly advised to read the relevant guidance notes before starting to complete the application forms. 

Personal licence

Each person who undertakes work under the Act must hold a personal licence which lists:

• the techniques they can use
• the species they may use
• the establishments where they may work

Project licence

The programme of work must be authorised in a project licence.

Certificate of Designation

The places where scientific procedures are carried out must be licensed under a Certificate of Designation.

 

Fill in application forms:

See Also

• Information about training
• Codes of practice