Authority of the IACUC
IACUCs are mandated by Health Research Extension Act (HREA) of 1985 and the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Federal laws pertaining to animal welfare are enforced through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. The Public Health Service (PHS) also requires IACUCs for sponsored programs involving vertebrate animals. The two documents generally used for compliance with mandated IACUC s are the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" (the Guide)
and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
HREA and the AWA require the Chief Operating Official (CEO) to appoint an IACUC. The IACUC then reports to a senior administrator referred to as the Institutional Official (IO). In some instances the CEO and IO may be the same person. The IO must have the authority to allocate organizational resources needed to maintain a functional animal care and use program.
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