• Read the full Code: Code of Practice (2026)

• Read the supporting document: Explanatory Memorandum (2026)

Why has it changed?

The update is primarily to:

• Reflect post-Brexit legislation (removing EU Directive references)

• Improve clarity and usability

• Separate legal requirements from guidance

The Explanatory Memorandum provides the official policy context:

• Confirms the Code now contains minimum legal standards only

• Explains removal of outdated (pre-2017) standards

• Highlights stakeholder feedback calling for clearer distinction between law vs best practice (GOV.UK)

Key point: There are no significant changes to the underlying welfare standards.

• The 3Rs Prize: Global recognition for exceptional original research
• New funding for academic-industry partnerships
• Webinar recording: In vitro human skeletal tissue models
• Technology Partn3Ring webinar series: New approach methodologies (NAMs)
• Welfare webinar: Habituation for procedures in toxicology studies
• Innovations in translational models: Replacing in vivo models with complex cellular systems
• 3RsC survey: Benchmarking MPS use in drug discovery and development

Established by the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) after a 2014 workshop, this Hub network promotes cooperation to address animal welfare concerns. The note highlights the roles of the nine regional Hubs in sharing information and organising training to enhance ethical review processes.

• Thinking outside the boxes: analyzing the current landscape of popular behavioral tests for adult zebrafish

Research Highlights

• Alarm USV calls in mice
• A new C. elegans model of copper deficiency
• Cross-species transfer of imaging data
• Effect of GLP1-R agonist on osteoarthritis in mice
• Sex-dependent cocaine-induced behavior
• CBD improves the effects of a high-fat diet in rats
• Sleep deprivation worsens Parkinson’s disease symptoms
• Using calcium to treat ethanol abuse in rats
• Breath as a marker of gut microbiome health
• Computational tools for metabolic analysis in flies
• The link between stress and hyperactivity in a marmoset model of autism

Articles

• Methods for randomized, blinded, controlled evaluation of putative disease interventions in multilaboratory, preclinical assessment networks
• Retinal phenotype of APOB100 transgenic mice on a Western diet with human-like hyperlipidemia and cholesterol crystals in the retina and choroid
• PiggyBac-mediated transgenesis and CRISPR–Cas9 knockout in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella

• Working with Innovate UK to deliver the Government’s alternative methods strategy
• A landscape review of human-relevant pre-clinical model development in the UK
• Antibody Champions to deliver widespread 3Rs impact
• NC3Rs-funded research: A genetic toolkit for Galleria mellonella
• Webinar: The Virtual Second Species Suite – Data-driven and mechanistic modelling of the dog
• Virtual workshop: Using the Experimental Design Assistant
• Webinar: Human in vitro tissue models of musculoskeletal disease and injury
• Survey: Animal and tissue sharing systems

While peaceful protest remains protected by the Human Rights Act 1998, the new law criminalises actions that disrupt life sciences operations, including pharmaceutical research and animal testing, under ASPA.

Offenders could face fines or up to 12 months imprisonment for significant disruptions, aimed at protecting public health and safety.

These legislative changes respond to rising disruptive protests and were approved by Parliament, balancing civil liberties with the functionality of an essential sector amid potential pandemic and bioweapon threats.

The amendment hopes to allow lawful life sciences operations while enabling peaceful protests.

• The article addresses the challenges of animal research by discussing the “three Rs” strategy to ensure animal welfare while supporting scientific progress.
• It highlights “Lane-Petter’s Pipeline,” illustrating that although some animal models are being replaced with alternatives, new models are still being created, leading to an ongoing dependence on animal research.
• The author argues that simply replacing animal models is not enough to reduce overall animal use in research.
• New models often emerge due to factors like funding and technology.
• Therefore, effective policies must not only promote alternatives but also foster an environment conducive to developing non-animal methods.
• The article calls for a reevaluation of animal research policies to better protect animals while allowing for scientific advancement.