Getting started to work with animals ‒ CPG ‐ EPFL

Information for new collaborators:

To get access to the CPG unit(s), a training is required and is divided into two parts:

Information session;
Practical training at the requested unit(s). This second part should be performed within a week from the information session.

Please fill in the registration form and send your CV and Module 1 certificate (or equivalent) to [email protected].

All persons conducting or supervising animal experiments must have completed a compulsory training, respectively module 1 (equivalent to a FELASA-B, EU Function A) or module 2 (equivalent to a FELASA-C, EU Function B). For EPFL researchers, this training is organized by the Lemanic Animal Facility Network (Resal). It is advisable to register for courses as soon as possible.

Qualification equivalence may be granted to persons having gained experience abroad.

Upon your arrival at the EPFL

Fill the Animal Facility Access Request Form and send it to [email protected] with an updated CV containing your publications with animal experiments, and your certificates (Module 1, Module 2, or equivalent from another country).

1. I am a fully trained experimenter

a. I just arrived in Switzerland and was trained abroad

If you have followed a potentially equivalent course on animal experimentation abroad, it is possible to ask for an equivalence. Decision is only taken by the Cantonal Vet. Authorities on a case-by-case basis, after examination of documents. The Authorities decide for a full or a partial equivalence; if equivalence is granted; you have to register to a short one day course “Ethics, Laws and 3Rs”; if partial equivalence is granted, Authorities will indicate which part of Module 1 or Module 2 course should be attended. The Regulatory Affairs team will take care of the communication with the DGAV for you.

At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance. Do not forget to send it to [email protected] so that we can update your ANIMEX profile.

Keep in mind that you will need to maintain your experimenter status by doing at least 4 days of continuing education courses for each 4 years period (it is recommended to do one day of continuing education per year).

b. I already worked with animals in Switzerland

To keep your accreditation to perform animal experiments valid, do not forget to follow continuing educations courses (see below).

Summary:

2. I never worked with animals or I have no certificate

You will have to follow the Module 1 basic education course in laboratory animal science. Please register as soon as possible because the number of participants is limited. This is mandatory and you will not be able to enter the animal facility and work with animals unless you have followed this course.

This course is provided by:

RESAL : courses are given in French or English
Institute of animal science (LTK): courses are given in German and English.

At the end of the course if you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate of attendance. Do not forget to send it to [email protected]. We will create your profile in ANIMEX-CH and ask for your accreditation.

Summary:

Study Director (AWO, Art. 131 and 132)

To become a study director, a prerequisite is the completion of the basic education (Module 1 or equivalent) followed by three years of practical experience in animal experiments. You will then be qualified to follow the Module 2. This course is only organized by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science (LTK). Courses take place in Zürich, Basel and Lausanne.

For registration to this course, please first contact [email protected] as there are some restrictions especially concerning the University degree obtained before becoming and experimenter (AWO, Art. 132). You may afterwards register here.

At the end of the course, if you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate of attendance. Do not forget to send it to [email protected] so that we can update your profile on ANIMEX-CH.

Experimenters and supervisors must regularly attend continuing education courses (4 days in a period of 4 years).

For experimenters and study directors

Once you are accredited to work with animals in Switzerland, you will have to follow 4 days of continuing education for every 4 year-period (AWO, Art. 190).

Accredited continuing education courses:
1. RESAL website
2. Institute of Laboratory Animal Science (LTK)

At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance. Do not forget to send it to animallicensesgepfl.ch so that we can update your profile on ANIMEX-CH.

How to have your congress/meeting recognized as continuing education:

Please send to [email protected]

1. Detailed Program (with duration):
  1. Underline the talks which contain or concern animal experimentation and/or the 3Rs principles;
  2. Specify next to each title the species presented
2. Abstracts of the relevant presentations
3. Certificate of attendance (registration or plane tickets will not be recognized)

Please note:

Poster sessions are not counted
Your own presentation is not counted
Three hours are recognized as half-day continuing education. Six hours are considered as one day continuing education.

We will then upload the documents under your ANIMEX-CH profile and have it accredited by the Cantonal Veterinary Authority.