Statutory guidance

Care and accommodation of animals in science: 2026 code of practice

Minimum standards from 25 June 2026, for the care and accommodation of animals bred, supplied or used for scientific purposes.

From:
Home Office
Published
25 March 2026
Last updated
26 March 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Code of practice for the care and accommodation of animals bred, supplied or used for scientific purposes (accessible)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6362-5, E03564103

Unnumbered act paper

HTML

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Code of practice for the care and accommodation of animals bred, supplied or used for scientific purposes

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6362-5, E03564103

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 2.96 MB, 51 pages

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Code of practice for the care and accommodation of animals bred, supplied or used for scientific purposes (print-ready PDF)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6362-5, E03564103

PDF, 3 MB, 56 pages

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Code of practice for the care and accommodation of animals bred, supplied or used for scientific purposes (large print PDF)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6362-5, E03564103

PDF, 1.29 MB, 98 pages

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Explanatory memorandum to the 2026 code of practice (accessible)

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Explanatory memorandum to the 2026 code of practice

PDF, 3.12 MB, 4 pages

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Details

This code of practice comes into force on 25 June 2026. Until then, the 2014 code of practice is in force.

This code of practice applies to all licensed breeders, suppliers and users of protected animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act.

It replaces the 2014 code of practice.

The advisory standards can be used alongside the 2026 code of practice, for advice on:

  • a broader range of subjects
  • how to meet and exceed the legal minimum standards

Updates to this page

Published 25 March 2026
Last updated 26 March 2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

  1. Added that this code of practice comes into force on 25 June 2026. Added a large print PDF version of the code of practice.

  2. First published.

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