AAALAC INTERNATIONAL

AAALAC INTERNATIONAL specializes in the accreditation and evaluation of animal care and use programs across federal research and regulatory environments. Their core capabilities center on conducting rigorous, science-based assessments of institutional animal welfare practices in accordance with internationally recognized standards, including the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. They deliver expert audit services, compliance reviews, and certification determinations for facilities engaged in biomedical, agricultural, and defense-related research, ensuring adherence to ethical and regulatory frameworks governing animal experimentation. Their technical expertise includes protocol evaluation, facility inspections, staff training validation, and continuous quality improvement support tailored to institutional animal care and use committees. A key differentiator is their role as an independent, third-party accrediting body recognized by federal agencies as the gold standard for animal welfare compliance. The organization maintains deep, sustained relationships with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, primarily providing accreditation services for research institutions, military medical facilities, and VA laboratories. These agencies rely on AAALAC INTERNATIONAL to validate compliance with federal policies on animal use in scientific research, ensuring alignment with the Public Health Service Policy and the Animal Welfare Act. Their primary industry focus lies in professional scientific and technical services, specifically the accreditation and inspection of animal research programs under NAICS codes 541990 and 926150. They serve the biomedical, defense, and agricultural research sectors, positioning themselves as the preeminent voluntary accreditor for institutions seeking to demonstrate excellence in animal care ethics and operational integrity. AAALAC INTERNATIONAL is a nonprofit professional organization headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, operating as a private entity without formal government certifications. Despite lacking formal small business or socioeconomic certifications, its longstanding reputation and recognized authority in animal welfare accreditation grant it a unique and indispensable role within the federal research compliance ecosystem.