Switzerland: SECC-N finalises draft legislation to promote 3R research

The National Council's Science, Education and Culture Committee (SECC-N) has finalised its draft legislation on the parliamentary initiative ‘More resources and incentives for 3R research to accelerate the development of alternatives to animal testing’ [“Mehr Ressourcen und Anreize für die 3R-Forschung, um Alternativen zu den Tierversuchen rascher voranzutreiben”]. The proposal aims to accelerate the development of alternatives to animal testing (3Rs: Replace, Reduce, Refine) by providing new resources and incentives.  

The preliminary draft introduces a legal definition of the 3Rs principles and enhances transparency through the publication of non-technical project summaries, as is already required in the EU. It also includes measures to promote 3R research and to accelerate the approval process by establishing specialist secretariats, which are intended to improve cooperation between researchers and authorities.  

The draft will be sent out for consultation in the coming weeks.