I: Background and Purpose:

IACUC Policies serve as the official governance documents, while IACUC Guidelines are advisory and help promote consistency and best practices for the care and use of live vertebrate animals at the University of California, Riverside. This policy aims to describe how the IACUC adopts, reviews and revises policies and guidelines.

II: Related Policies and Guidance

·      Policy 529-205: Investigation and Resolution of Non-Compliance Involving Vertebrate Animals

·      Policy 529-224: IACUC Review of Animal Use Protocols (AUPs)

III: Policy:

A. All new, revised, or reviewed policies and guidelines will be approved by a majority of the voting membership at a convened meeting of the IACUC.

a) All currently approved IACUC policies and guidelines should be reviewed or revised once every three years. The IACUC Office drafts new policies based on IACUC needs or at the request of any IACUC member after Chair approval.

·                 b) Newly drafted, revised, or unedited policies and guidelines scheduled for review are added to the FCR agenda and circulated to all members for comment at least five business days before the IACUC meeting. IACUC comments are emailed and incorporated into the draft for review at the meeting.

c) Following review at a convened meeting, the policy or guideline may be approved or approved with minor revisions.

d)If the committee determines that substantial revisions are necessary, a revised document will be reviewed at the next meeting.

B. Distribution and publishing of policies and guidelines

a) New and/or revised policies and guidelines will be sent to all faculty members who use animals for research. They will have 30 days to provide feedback or ask questions about the new policies or guidelines.

b) If no comments or questions are made during the 30-day period, the new policy or guideline will be posted on the IACUC webpage.

c) If questions or comments are received, the IACUC Office Manager will assess whether the IACUC Office can address them or if they need to be reviewed by the committee. If the latter, the query or comment will be brought to the next convened meeting, and the members will discuss and determine how to address them based on established guidelines or policies.

Originally approved: 11/19/93; Revised: 12/9/04; Revised: 2/25/19; Revised: 8/12/24