Laws
Article L. 412-2 of the French Environment Code
This article makes the use of non-domesticated animals not kept in captivity for research purposes subject to authorization.
Article L.214-3 of the French rural code
This article states:
“It is forbidden to mistreat domestic animals or wild animals that have been tamed or kept in captivity.
…
The same applies to medical and scientific biological experiments , which must be limited to cases of strict necessity.
Decrees
Decree no. 2001-486 of June 6, 2001
The decree publishes the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, adopted in Strasbourg on March 18, 1986 and signed by France on September 2, 1987.
The decree transposes certain provisions of Directive 2010/63/EU. In particular, it lays down the conditions relating to the species concerned, the origin of the animals, housing and maintenance conditions, and the formalities to be fulfilled by user, breeder and supplier establishments in order to be authorized to carry out experimental procedures on animals, or to breed or supply animals for this purpose. It lays down the procedures for approving and monitoring establishments that breed, supply and use animals used or intended to be used for scientific purposes. A national committee for ethical reflection on animal experimentation has been set up under the auspices of the national commission for animal experimentation, to issue opinions on ethical issues raised by animal experimentation. These provisions are codified in articles R. 214-87 to R.214-137 of the French Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.
Decree no. 2020-274 of March 17, 2020
The decree introduces a scientifically justified derogation to the obligation to carry out an experimental procedure in an establishment user and modifies the name of the national commission for animal experimentation, which becomes the national commission for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, as well as its composition, by increasing the number of personalities proposed by recognized animal protection and wildlife protection organizations.
Decree no. 2021-1388 of October 25, 2021
This decree transposes the provisions of Articles 10, 12 and 20 of Directive 2010/63/EU on protection of animals used for scientific purposes. As such, it specifies the conditions for the lawfulness of experimental procedures carried out on animals, and allows the use of animals bred for scientific purposes from establishments approved by other European Union member states or other European Economic Area states. It specifies the conditions under which it is possible to use animals from establishments located in countries outside the European Union.
Decree no. 2024-1153 of December 4, 2024
In line with the European directive on protection of animals used for scientific purposes, this decree introduces the possibility, by derogation and with scientific justification, of including first-generation primates bred for scientific purposes in experimental procedures. It also introduces an organizational measure concerning the attendance at meetings of members of consultative bodies dedicated to protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Bylaws
Six texts from 2013 complete the regulations :
The text of February 1, 2013 setting the conditions for supplying certain animal species used for scientific purposes to approved user establishments.
The text of February 1, 2013 relating to the acquisition and validation of skills for staff of establishments using, breeding and supplying animals used for scientific purposes.
The text of February 1, 2013 setting the conditions for the approval, layout and operation of establishments that use, breed or supply animals used for scientific purposes, and their controls.
The text of February 1, 2013 relating to ethical assessment andproject authorisation involving the use of animals in experimental procedures.
The text of February 1, 2013 on the delivery and use of medicines employed by approved establishments as users of animals for scientific purposes.
The text of October 16, 2013 relating to protection of animals used for scientific purposes in establishments under the authority of the Ministry of Defense.
Best practice recommendations
The documents listed below contain suggestions, recommendations and rules on how to meet the requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU, but they have no legal force. Ignorance of them is therefore neither enforceable nor invocable before the courts.
National Charter on the ethics of animal experimentation
This charter was drawn up by the Comité national de réflexion éthique sur l’expérimentation animale.
The charter sets out the principles to which animal experimentation stakeholders, institutions and ethics committees are committed.
