FASEB Issues Comments on OLAW's Updated Guidance Disclaimer

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
On October 3, FASEB submitted comments in response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) Request for Information seeking input on its revised guidance disclaimer. The disclaimer serves to facilitate stakeholder implementation of current policies and statutes related to animal care and use. 

In its comments, FASEB supports the updated changes, noting that the statement provides the necessary flexibility for institutions to use alternative strategies to comply with regulations. FASEB specifically thanks OLAW for minimizing the use of prescriptive language. Such changes could lessen institutional misinterpretation, as phrases like "recommendation" and "advice" frequently lead to excessive institutional requirements.