About us
The Swedish 3Rs Center is an assembling arena for knowledge and progress when it comes to replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation in Sweden. Our work is guided by the Swedish National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes, which acts as our stearing group.
Swedish 3Rs Center
The 3Rs Center is responsible for promoting and coordinating efforts related to the 3Rs across Sweden. Thus, we work with all the 3Rs – replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation. Our activities contribute to an increased animal welfare, fewer animals in experiments and improved research quality.
Our key activities include
- collecting, compiling and actively disseminating information about the 3Rs
- providing advice and recommendations on the 3Rs
- supporting other organisations in their work with the 3Rs
- organising and taking part in networks within the 3Rs area.
The Swedish 3Rs Center is located at the Swedish Board of Agriculture. However, we have an external steering group – the Swedish National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes.
Formation of the Swedish 3Rs Center
In 2014 the Swedish parliament decided to establish a national competence centre for the 3Rs and issued the Swedish Board of Agriculture to form a 3Rs centre. The Swedish 3Rs Center was inaugurated in November 2017.
The National Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes
According to Directive 2010/63/EU, each member state within the EU shall establish a national committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The first Swedish National Committee was established in 2013.
The National Committee shall
- advise the competent authorities and animal welfare bodies on matters dealing with the acquisition, breeding, accommodation, care and use of animals in procedures and ensure sharing of best practice
- exchange information on the operation of animal welfare bodies and project evaluation and share best practice within the Union.
In Sweden, the Committee has an additional responsibility – to act as the steering group for the Swedish 3Rs Center. This means that the Committee decides which activities the 3Rs Center should engage in.
Committee members
The Swedish National Committee is composed of one chairman, one vice chairman, ten members and four alternates. The members represent academia, the private sector, governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations. Collectively, they bring expertise within the areas of animal welfare and protection, veterinary medicine and methods used in different research areas with and without the use of animals.
The Committee members are appointed for two-year terms by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, which also chairs the Committee.
The following organisations are represented in the current National Committee:
- Swedish Board of Agriculture (chair)
- Swedish Veterinary Agency
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Karolinska Institutet
- Linköping University
- Stockholm University
- University of Gothenburg
- Uppsala University
- AstraZeneca
- Key2Compliance
- Aim2Achieve
- Djurskyddet Sverige
The National Committee's Annual report
Each year, the National Committee and the Swedish 3Rs Center produce an annual report to describe our work.
Regulations (in Swedish)
Söker efter grundforeskrifter:
2017:44
Contact us
You can contact the Swedish 3Rs Center if you want to know more about the Center or the National Committee.
Revision date: 2025-05-09