AAALAC accreditation exemption: Does it provide exemption from guide mandates?

• A. Under no circumstances.
• B. Before the project starts.
• C. After approval by IACUC.
• D. Only for non-regulated procedures.

Answer: (A)

AAALAC accreditation is a voluntary quality assurance process, not a waiver of required standards. It evaluates how well an institution plans, cares for, and uses laboratory animals against the Guide and related policies, but it does not remove or override those mandates. The Guide establishes the baseline for humane care and use, and compliance is required regardless of whether the facility is AAALAC-accredited. IACUC oversight continues to review and approve all protocols to ensure adherence, and accreditation status does not provide an exemption from following the Guide. So there isn’t a circumstance in which AAALAC accreditation exempts you from guide mandates.