OLAW

OLAW stands for the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. It is a unit within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and it administers the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals for all institutions conducting PHS-funded research. OLAW does not conduct animal research itself.

Primary responsibilities include providing policy interpretation and guidance on the humane care and use of laboratory animals, as well as on compliance with the PHS Policy. It reviews and approves institutions’ Assurance of Compliance, which describes an institution’s program for animal care and use and is required for any PHS-funded animal work. OLAW also monitors compliance by reviewing Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, semiannual program and facility evaluations, and annual animal care reports.

OLAW promotes program improvement and the adoption of best practices, with emphasis on the principles of Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement (the 3Rs). It responds to questions, concerns, or allegations of noncompliance, and may provide guidance, require corrective actions, or coordinate with NIH and other agencies as appropriate.

In addition to its guidance and oversight role, OLAW develops and disseminates resources such as policy statements, frequently asked questions, and other guidance documents to support institutions in meeting their obligations under the PHS Policy. OLAW’s work intersects with the broader regulatory framework for laboratory animal welfare, including coordination with agencies responsible for the Animal Welfare Act and its enforcement where applicable.