Animal experiments in Switzerland

2. 3R enshrined in law

In Switzerland, researchers are required to limit animal experiments to a minimum and, whenever possible, to use alternative methods instead of animal models. The 3R are enshrined in law and must be considered in every project. The pharmaceutical industry, researchers, laboratory animal specialists, the federal authorities, animal welfare and politicians have advocated for application of the 3R for more than 30 years. The establishment of the 3R Research Foundation Switzerland in 1987 was a pioneering step. In 2018 it was replaced by the Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC). With the successful promotion of the 3R, it has managed to bring about a decrease in the number of animal experiments from 2 million in 1983 to fewer than 600,000 animals in 2018 and a steady reduction in the stress to which the animals are exposed.