FASEB Submits Comments to NIH OLAW on Reporting Noncompliance

Thursday, May 4, 2023
On May 2, FASEB submitted comments to NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) in response to the Request for Information on prompt reporting of noncompliance. As OLAW proceeds with updating current guidance, FASEB recommends OLAW only require material that directly impacts animal welfare or IACUC functions. Regarding additional examples of situations not normally reported, FASEB appreciates the range of situations included but recommends OLAW modify the example related to animal injury due to social housing. Given the frequency of animal injury and separation that occurs with incompatible animals—particularly in rodents—FASEB suggests adjusting the example to state that housing-related injuries are only reportable if there is no IACUC-approved protocol or Standard Operating Procedure in place.