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Research Animal Training
Research Animal Training

Establishment Licences

The Establishment licence

The Establishment licence provides authority to the Institution to carry out regulated procedures (a “user establishment”) or to breed and supply animals listed on Schedule 2 of A(SP)A. The licence is normally held by an individual who holds a senior position in the Institution so that they have sufficient authority to ensure all the responsibilities for compliance with A(SP)A are undertaken adequately. They will also be sufficiently senior to implement changes to working practices when these are required. It is possible for a corporate body (e.g. a University) to hold the establishment licence, but in these circumstances, an individual with primary responsibility for ensuring compliance must be identified (the “Named person responsible for compliance”).

Establishment licence holder responsibilities

The Establishment Licence holder is responsible for:

  • Maintaining standards of animal care and accommodation that meet Home Office requirements;
  • Ensuring adequate staffing;
  • Ensuring systems are in place to prevent the conduct of unauthorised procedures;
  • Nominating and being responsible for the performance of the various “Named Persons” (see below);
  • Maintaining an Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (see below) to advise them on various aspects of animal use in the establishment.

The Establishment licence lists a number of individuals who have statutory responsibilities under A(SP)A. These are:

The Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO)
This individual is responsible for the day-to-day care and welfare of all the animals in an establishment, irrespective of whether they are undergoing regulated procedures. NACWOs are required to undergo accredited training, and will usually be an experienced and well-qualified registered animal technician.
Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS)
The NVS provides expert advice on the health and welfare of animals in an establishment. They must undergo initial training, and many will have further specialist training in laboratory animal medicine. On rare occasions, other suitably qualified persons can be appointed to this role, but only if no suitably-experienced veterinary surgeon is available (for example when dealing with fish).
Named Compliance Officer (NCO), or Named Person Responsible for Compliance (NPRC)
This individual is responsible for all aspects of compliance with the law. This function is normally held by the Establishment Licence Holder.
Named Information Officer (NIO)
Responsible for ensuring that everyone has access to current information on the species, procedures and areas of research that they are working in.
Named Training and Competence Officer (NTCO)
The NTCO is responsible for ensuring that everyone receives the necessary training and is assessed as competent in the procedures and processes with which they are involved. They are also responsible for ensuring that appropriate further training (CPD – Continued Professional Development) is undertaken.

The Institution must also appoint a Home Office Liaison Contact. This individual will manage the electronic system for processing of licence applications and amendments.

It is important that you know who undertakes these roles in your Establishment, and how to contact them. In some circumstances, you will have a legal responsibility to consult them.

Places Other than Licensed Establishments (POLES)

Not all research involving animals is conducted in research facilities. Some work, for example, that involves wild animals, may require field-work.

If the research involves regulated procedures, on protected animals, then Personal and Project licences must be granted, and the places that the work is conducted are specified on the Project licence, as POLES.

The description can vary in the level of detail (e.g. one particular river estuary, or large areas of forest), but assurance must be provided to the Home Office that the owner of the land has given their permission for the work to be undertaken. The Establishment employing the research staff involved normally processes the Personal and Project licences and has responsibility for ensuring all relevant provisions of A(SP)A are observed. Specific additional conditions are often placed on the Project licence to ensure the welfare of the animals involved, and the Home Office normally require notification before each study is commenced. Additional controls are required for capture and releasing animals into the wild. Specific Advice has been provided by the Home Office for those Working with Wild Animals

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