Review research projects that involve the use of animals, assessing their scientific and ethical justification, compliance with the applicable regulations and the application of the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).
IAEC · Imasde Agroalimentaria Ethics Committee
Independent Animal Ethics Committee
We are an independent animal ethics committee and an authorised project evaluation body. We review and certify animal study protocols, including for EFSA dossiers and studies conducted outside the EU.
An ethics committee for research with farm animals
The IAEC (Imasde Agroalimentaria Ethics Committee) is the animal ethics committee of IMASDE Agroalimentaria, an independent agri-food research centre and contract research organization (CRO) in Spain. It reviews research projects that involve the use of animals from an ethical and animal welfare perspective, and advises researchers so that every study has a sound scientific justification and complies with the applicable regulations.
A protocol approved by the committee gives ethical assurance to the study sponsor, to scientific journals and to the authorities that assess registration dossiers, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), also when the study is conducted outside the European Union.
- Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee.
- Independent committee.
- Reviews and certifies animal study protocols, including for EFSA dossiers.
What the committee does
Eight roles that cover a project from its design to its follow-up, always within the committee's remit.
Evaluate and certify research protocols with regard to animal welfare, issuing the corresponding ethical review reports or certificates in line with the requirements of the legislation and the applicable scientific guidance, such as EFSA's guidance for efficacy and safety studies of feed additives.
Advise researchers on the design and conduct of experimental procedures, promoting practices that minimise pain, suffering, distress and any unnecessary harm to the animals.
Help ensure compliance with the ethical and legal requirements related to the use of animals in research, within the committee's remit.
Promote alternatives to animal experimentation and strategies that reduce the number of animals used and refine experimental procedures.
Carry out the ethical follow-up of reviewed projects, where appropriate, assessing compliance with the conditions set and proposing improvements when needed.
Assess and advise on amendments to projects, especially when they may affect animal welfare or the conditions originally reviewed.
Promote training and awareness among research staff on research ethics, animal welfare and the application of the 3Rs.
The ethical approval EFSA asks for
EFSA's new guidance on the efficacy of feed additives has applied since 1 December 2024. In the report of every in vivo study, the "Ethical statement" must include the certificate of approval of the study protocol by a competent authority or an independent animal welfare committee, with its authorisation number or code and an explicit declaration of compliance with EU animal welfare legislation.
“Certificate of approval of the study protocol by a competent authority or independent animal welfare committee (including number/code of authorisation) clearly declaring compliance with the animal welfare requirements, according to EU legislation.”
The guidance asks for this approval to be documented for studies conducted outside the European Union as well. As an independent committee, the IAEC reviews and certifies protocols in line with these requirements, whether the study takes place in the EU or elsewhere.
What EFSA asks for in each in vivo study
- Certificate of approval of the study protocol.
- Issued by a competent authority or an independent animal welfare committee.
- Authorisation number or code.
- Explicit declaration of compliance with EU animal welfare legislation (Directive 2010/63/EU; on farms, Directive 98/58/EC).
Replacement, Reduction and Refinement
Replacement
Use alternative methods that avoid the use of animals whenever they achieve the same scientific aim, such as in vitro studies.
Reduction
Use the smallest number of animals that gives valid results. What matters is the number of experimental units and a sound statistical design, worked out before the study starts.
Refinement
Improve procedures, housing and handling to minimise pain, suffering and distress.
How to request an ethical review
- 1
Send the protocol
Send us the study details through the contact form. We will ask you for the protocol: objectives, species and number of animals, treatments and planned procedures.
- 2
Review by the committee
The committee assesses the scientific and ethical justification of the project, regulatory compliance and the application of the 3Rs, and proposes changes to the design or procedures when needed.
- 3
Ethical review report or certificate
The committee issues the corresponding report or certificate, in line with the legislation and the applicable scientific guidance, such as EFSA's.
- 4
Follow-up and amendments
Where appropriate, it carries out the ethical follow-up of the project and assesses amendments that may affect animal welfare or the conditions reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
What is an animal ethics committee?
It is the committee that reviews research projects using animals from an ethical and animal welfare perspective. The IAEC is IMASDE's animal ethics committee.
Is the IAEC an independent committee?
Yes. The IAEC is an independent animal ethics committee that reviews and certifies animal study protocols.
Who can request an ethical review of a protocol?
Any company, research centre or organisation planning a study with animals, including studies conducted outside the European Union, as EFSA's guidance asks for feed additive dossiers.
What are the 3Rs in animal research?
Three principles for research with animals: Replacement (use alternative methods where possible), Reduction (use the smallest number of animals that gives valid results) and Refinement (improve procedures to minimise pain, suffering and distress). Directive 2010/63/EU lays them down in Article 4.
What does EFSA require on ethical approval of feed additive studies?
Its 2024 efficacy guidance asks, in the report of every in vivo study, for a certificate of approval of the study protocol by a competent authority or an independent animal welfare committee, with its authorisation number or code and an explicit declaration of compliance with EU animal welfare legislation. This also applies to studies conducted outside the European Union.
Which studies does the committee review?
Research projects that involve the use of animals: nutrition, health and welfare trials in pigs, poultry, dairy cattle, small ruminants, fish and pets, among other species.
How do I request an ethical review of a protocol?
Use the contact form: choose "Animal ethics committee (IAEC)" and give a short description of the study. We will reply with the documents the committee needs to review it.
Need an ethical review of a protocol?
Tell us about your study and we will tell you what the committee needs to review it.
