Promoting the 3Rs
The aim of the 3Rs principles is to replace as many animal experiments as possible, to reduce the number of laboratory animals and to minimize their stress to the greatest extent possible (refine).
Internet 3Rs training day
Continuous training is not only a legal obligation for staff involved in animal experiments, but also plays a key role in ensuring that animal studies are planned and conducted according to the latest standards. To this end, member companies hold all-day internal training days that address current issues that are relevant to as many employees as possible. The aim is to improve processes in the area of invivo activities.
The hot topics are systematically evaluated in advance and internal and external speakers are selected to give presentations. In contrast to external conferences and courses, this format enables broad, needs-based coverage of topics and establishes suitable contacts for ongoing professional exchange regarding those topics in the future.
Project name: Internet 3Rs training day
Charter articles: 1, 3, 6, 9
Handling Champions
The concept of “gentle handling”, which has been established in animal husbandry for some time, is now mandatory for all processes that require the handling of laboratory animals. This involves not only more intensive training of the animals, but also the joint development of solutions to practical challenges, such as collecting samples in quick succession or when handling particularly reactive animals.
To promote the exchange of experiences and develop best practices, one member company established a group of “Handling Champions”. Each working group has a representative. These individuals act as the first point of contact within their teams for questions, concerns or suggestions for improvement and support the consistent implementation of the gentle-handling approach.
Project name: Handling Champions
Charter articles: 1, 2, 3
Roche Global 3 Awards
Every two years, a member company presents global 3Rs Awards for outstanding scientific work that contributes to reducing animal testing and improving animal welfare. The 2025 award ceremony marked the tenth such event since its launch in 2007 and underscored the long-term strategic importance of the 3Rs principles.
The award is given to projects that demonstrate the practical implementation of replacement, reduction and refinement in an exemplary manner. The award-winning work covers a broad spectrum – from the development of human-based organoid models, which prevent the use of hundreds of laboratory animals every year, to targeted enrichment measures for primates and robot-assisted surgical systems that increase precision and reduce stress on the animals.
One particularly noteworthy project from Switzerland is an extraordinary internal training program in the field of surgery, methodology and technology. This program takes a significant step forward in laboratory animal education and training by deliberately avoiding the use of animals bred specifically for training purposes. Instead, surplus animals from external breeding partners are integrated into the internal training program. Employees can learn essential procedures under controlled conditions and in strict accordance with the 3Rs principles. The program strengthens the culture of care and saves resources while also ensuring high training standards.
Project name: Global 3Rs Awards
Charter articles: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
3Rs research (refinement studies)
Based on the revised Article 137d of the Animal Welfare Ordinance (AniWO), which expressly permits the targeted use of animals for 3Rs research, researchers and animal welfare officers from a member company have initiated a joint project. The aim of the project is to systematically identify, implement and provide scientific support for internal refinement projects.
The focus is on evidence-based research and validation of refinement measures in the areas of husbandry, enrichment and experimental procedures. Impact reduction should not be based on assumptions, but rather reliable scientific data. The findings are directly integrated into preclinical development.
With this approach, the member company is deliberately going above and beyond the minimum legal requirements. Data-based optimization of animal welfare reduces stress while improving the quality and validity of studies, thus making an indirect but significant contribution to making the development of new medicines for patients more efficient.
Project name: 3Rs research (refinement studies)
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Charter articles: 1, 2, 5, 8