3Rs Principle and Legislative Decrees to Achieve High Standard of Animal Research

The 3Rs principle refers to three concepts: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. These principles should be taken into consideration during the planning and execution of experiments by trying to replace the animal model with an alternative model (if possible), reduce the number of animals by adopting proper and efficient statistical designs, and refine and improve the experimental conditions. The first application of this principle in Europe was reported in the document of the Council Directive of 24 November 1986 (86/609/EEC), and then developed in the updated Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010. Here, we discuss the perspectives of the 3Rs principle, with a particular focus on the concept of Reduction. Animal experimentation is a vast ecosystem that tries to make different issues such as legislative, ethical and scientific coexist. Research in animal experimentation has made many strides thanks to the 3Rs principle and the attached legislative decrees, but for this very reason, it needs to be evenly implemented both among the countries that have adhered to the decrees and among the team members who design and execute the experimental practice. In this article, we emphasize the importance of the 3Rs principle's application, with a particular focus on the concept of Reduction and related key aspects that can best be handled with the contribution of experts from different fields.

Automated summary

The 3Rs principle, consisting of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, aims to promote ethical and scientifically valid animal experimentation. It requires the consideration of alternative models, statistical designs, and improvements in experimental conditions. The principle was first introduced in a document by the Council Directive in 1986 and developed further in the European Parliament and Council Directive in 2010. This article emphasizes the importance of the 3Rs principle, particularly the concept of Reduction, and highlights the need for its consistent implementation among countries and research teams.