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ETPLAS : an Education and Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science

In the “European Directive 2010/63/EU” there is an important key point related to the training of people monitoring projects and handling animals for research. This is mandatory that the person supervising procedures is fully trained, competent, and engaged in continuing professional development and knowledge.

Education and continuous formation of staff in animal research are under the responsibility of the National States (in the EU). In order to have harmonization and mutual recognition of training programs “etplas” website was created. It enables information sharing and communication between training providers.

On the “etplas” website, you can find a database with information on training courses and accrediting bodies. It provides also a central hub of information relating to key topics in education and training. Furthermore, you can also find the necessary information to establish additional training courses across the EU.

List of some e-learning modules:

  • EU-10: Design of procedures and projects – level 1
  • EU-11: Design of procedures and projects – level 2
  • EU-12: The severity assessment framework
  • EU-25: Project evaluation
  • EU-52: Searching for (existing) non-animal alternatives
  • EU-60: Developing in vitro methods and approaches for scientific and regulatory use

The time requested to learn all the modules is around 27-30 Hours.

The e-learning courses hosted on the ETPLAS website correspond to theoretical modules on EU-functions defined by Directive 2010/63/EU.
You can also find external courses from other European Countries: Advanced Course in Laboratory Animal Science.

Website link: https://etplas.eu/

Picture: External courses from other European Countries: Advanced Course in Laboratory Animal Science.

 

EU Regulations on Animal Research: a short review

Animal Research in the European Union (in abbreviation EU) is regulated under the main Directive published in 2010 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/63/oj - replace the Directive 86/609/EEC) . This directive is “related to the protection of animals used for scientific purposes” and was consolidated with another recent text published in 2019 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32019R1010).