157 © 2008, Japanese Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments The institutional animal care committee: Keystone of international harmonization

The various national systems of oversight for the care and ethical use of animals in science have many fundamental elements in common including: regulations/guidelines/policies, and training requirements for key staff. Authorization of animal use may occur centrally as in the UK, regionally as in several European countries, or locally, through institutional Animal Care Committees (ACCs), as in Canada, US and Australia. Canada is recognized as having pioneered the establishment of ACCs as the keystone of peer-based ethical review processes and local quality control. The institutional ACC has a central role to play in the international harmonization of standards because: it is representative of the scientific culture and moral values of home countries; it facilitates communications and empowers informed decision-making at the local level; it is already integrated as an accountable keystone of most national oversight and regulatory systems worldwide; and it provides each nation with enhanced ability to influence international harmonization of best practices for animal care and use in science