The use of animals in research is regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). This Act was revised in 2012 to transpose the European Union Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. This revised legislation came into effect on the 1st January 2013.
Under ASPA, individuals who intend to carry out a regulated procedure on a protected animal must hold a Personal Licence. This type of licence authorises each individual to undertake certain categories of procedure on specified types of animals at licenced locations. A Personal Licence holder can only work under the the authority of a Project Licence if the Project Licence holder has given their consent.
The guidance on the operations of ASPA can be found here;
| Title | Link | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|
|
Guidance on the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 |
ASPA Guidance | 10/07/2026 |
| Guidance_for_training_and_CPD_under_ASPA_FINAL1912.pdf | ASPA Training | 10/07/2026 |
| Code of Practice for the Care and Accommodation of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes | Code of Practice | 10/07/2026 |
Project Licences are granted to individual people and each licence will specify a programe of research for up to 5 years duration.
Research licensed by the Home Office must be undertaken at licenced establishments or under certain circumstances, e.g., work carried out in the wild for the benefit of wild animals, the work may be undertaken at a Place Other than a Licenced Establishment (POLE), the details of which will be specified in the Project Licence.
To find out more information on applying for a Project Licence and Personal Licence please go to the UBS Training Centre webpage Training Centre | University Biomedical Services (UBS).