In Switzerland, animal experiments may only be performed if no alternative methods are available. Equally strict rules apply to laboratory animal husbandry as to the training and continuing education of the researchers working with animals.
Schedule of the first transitional periods / entry into force of new provisions of the revised Animal Welfare Ordinance and the Animal Experimentation Ordinance.
On 1 February 2025, the revised Animal Welfare Ordinance and the Animal Experimentation Ordinance entered into force. Certain provisions are subject to transitional periods; other new provisions will only enter into force at a later date. The following new or amended provisions will enter into force on 1 February 2026:
Art. 115a AniWO (Veterinary care)
Art. 118a para. 2 AniWO (Requirement for an animal experimentation authorisation for the breeding of strained lines)
Art. 129a let. b and c AniWO (Responsibilities of animal welfare officers; AWO)
Annex 3 AniWO (Shelter)
From 1 February 2026, a veterinarian must be designated in every laboratory animal facility; this person must have the specialist knowledge appropriate to the animal species kept.
Art. 115a AniWO
From 1 February 2026, laboratory animal facilities that breed or keep lines or strains that are strained, and where that strain cannot be avoided by mitigating measures, must meet the requirement that the number of animals must be justified in advance by an animal experimentation authorisation.
Art. 118a para. 2 AniWO
From 1 February 2026, institutes and laboratories must comply with the new requirements regarding the responsibilities of animal welfare officers. AWO are now also responsible for ensuring that applications for animal experiments include information on the defined monitoring and termination criteria, on strain-reducing measures, and explanations regarding the weighing of interests.
Art. 129a let. b and c AniWO
From 1 February 2026, a shelter is also required for mice, rats and hamsters in laboratory animal facilities that were already in operation on 1 February 2026.
Annex 3 AniWO
For more information, see the explanatory report of December 2024.
Important:
For the first time, by the end of February 2027, laboratory animal facilities will have to report in the HC form not only the number of animals bred/produced and imported, but also, in two new categories, the number of animals that were not used in an animal experiment and were either (a) supplied to third parties or (b) euthanised or that died (Art. 145 para. 1 let. b AniWO). In order to be able to report these figures correctly by the end of February 2027, the numbers of animals in the new categories must already be recorded from 1 January 2026 and counted in accordance with Art. 29 the Animal Experimentation Ordinance.
The following applies
In 2026, the changes will concern authorised laboratory animal facilities only. They must ensure that the correct data are recorded starting in January 2026. The following points should be noted:
- Mice and rats must now be counted from the 9th day after birth. For all other animal species, the previously applicable provisions continue to apply; these are now consolidated in Art. 29 of the Animal Experimentation Ordinance.
- Animals considered as “supplied to third parties” are live animals that (1) are not used in an experiment, (2) are not transferred to another authorised laboratory animal facility, and (3) are transferred to persons or institutions outside the laboratory animal facility, for example via placement in a private animal holding (rehoming).
- “Animals killed or that have died” must always be counted in the laboratory animal facility in which they were killed or died.
- As before: animals must be counted by species. Animals from strained lines must be reported separately for each strained line; animals from non-strained lines may be grouped by species, distinguishing between genetically modified and non-genetically modified animals (Art. 145 para. 1 let. b AniWO; Art. 29 para. 4 Animal Experimentation Ordinance).
For 2026, the FSVO is preparing the following, in cooperation with the cantons and with the laboratory animal facilities:
- A revision of the explanatory notes to the Form HC, which serve as guidance for the recording of statistical data in laboratory animal facilities (July 2026);
- Specification of the changes in animex-ch (June 2026);
- Training courses on completing the Form HC (from September 2026).
In focus:
Revision of the Technical information on degrees of severity in animal experimentation (version 1.04)
The FSVO has decided to revise the technical information on degrees of severity. In the spring of 2025, the cantonal offices for animal experimentation and the members of the Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC) were consulted about the need for a revision. A clear majority of respondents supported it. The revision will focus on the refinement of animal experimentation in line with the 3Rs principle (replace, reduce, refine), and on a possible update of the information. An expert group set up by the FSVO will provide technical support. The FSVO will also involve specific stakeholder groups in workshops at a later date, and consult other interested parties through a consultation procedure.
Members of the Expert Group for Revision of the FSVO Technical information on degrees of severity in animal experimentation:
- Dr Anthony Carrard, scientific advisor in charge of animal experimentation, Canton of Geneva, Department of Health and Mobility (DSM), Cantonal Health Office (OCS), Consumer and Veterinary Affairs Service (SCAV).
- Dr Isabelle Desbaillets, representing the Swiss Federal Commission for Animal Experiments, head of the Animal Welfare Office, University of Bern
- Dr Paulin Jirkof, 3R coordinator, Office for Animal Welfare & 3R, University of Zurich, 3RCC / University of Zurich
- Dr Mareike Kron Dipl. ECLAM Dipl. SVLAS, laboratory animal welfare, Veterinary Office Zurich
- Professor Lars Lewejohann, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Germany
- Dr Björn Lex and Dr Janina Thoele (deputy), representing Interpharma, animal welfare officers at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG Basel and Novartis Pharma AG Basel, respectively
More information
Last modification 18.12.2025
