Animals in Science Regulation Unit
Find out about the unit that oversees the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act and how to access information on scientific procedures carried out on animals.
This collection brings together information about the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) and provides links to information about procedures carried out on animals.
If you plan to use living animals in scientific procedures, you can read guidance and regulatory advice including how to apply for licences and comply with legislation.
About ASRU
The purpose of ASRU is to protect animals in science by managing compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). It is part of the Home Office.
ASRU:
- gives advice on the regulations
- manages the licences required by ASPA
- works to make sure licence holders comply with ASPA and the terms of their licences
Contact and more information
Sign up for email updates on this topic.
Email asruoperationalrelationshipmanagement@homeoffice.gov.uk
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) is the act which allows the use of animals in scientific research. It sets out restrictions on which animals can be used and why. The act says you must:
- replace animals with non-animal alternatives wherever possible
- reduce the number of animals used to the minimum needed to achieve the programme’s objectives
- refine the procedures carried out as much as possible to minimise suffering
These principles are known as the 3Rs: replacement, reduction and refinement.
The government is committed to the implementation of the 3Rs. ASRU requires that all applications for licences under ASPA must strongly demonstrate how the research proposal will apply the 3Rs.
You can read more about the 3Rs and how licence applicants should apply them.
ASPA is overseen and enforced by the Home Office in England, Scotland and Wales and by the Department for Health, Social Security and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.
The operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 - GOV.UK
Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals
Statistics about regulated scientific procedures involving living animals are published annually. The statistics include the:
- number of procedures
- species and genetic status of animals
- purpose and severity of procedures
Annual reports from ASRU
The annual reports from ASRU describe how it regulates the use of animals for scientific purposes.
Non-technical summaries of work programmes
Non-technical summaries describe, in language easy to understand, proposed programmes of work involving animals. They state:
- the programme’s objectives
- predicted harm to animals
- the benefits of the programme
- the number and types of animals to be used
Non-compliance under ASPA
You can read how potential incidences of non-compliance with ASPA are identified and dealt with and anonymised reports of substantial investigations.
Updates to this page
Published 2 July 2021Last updated 23 January 2025 + show all updates
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Page rewritten and reordered throughout to improve structure and remove out-of-date information.
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Added the Animals in Science Regulation Unit annual report 2023.
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Added 'Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2023'.
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Added Animals in Science Regulation Unit annual report 2022.
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Added a link to Non-technical summaries granted in 2024.
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Added 'Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2022 '.
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Added a link to non-technical summaries granted in 2023.
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Added non-technical summaries granted in 2022.
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Non-technical summaries for July-December 2021 published.
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Updated 'Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2021'.
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Added Animals in Science Regulation Unit annual reports 2019 to 2021.
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Added 'Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2021'.
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Remove the section on dealing with complaints and disagreements, add email contact.
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Added 'Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2020'.
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First published.