The Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) administers the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services. OLAW is responsible for reviewing and approving institutional assurances, advising research facilities about compliance, evaluating allegations of noncompliance with the Policy and conducting site visits as needed.  OLAW provides guidance and interpretation of the Policy, supports educational programs, and monitors compliance with the Policy by Assured institutions and PHS funding components to ensure the humane care and use of animals in PHS-supported research, testing, and training, thereby contributing to the quality of PHS-supported activities. 

The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) implements Congress’ 1985 legislative mandate and supplements the U.S. Government Principles.  It applies to all DHHS-conducted or supported research, research training, and biological testing activities involving the use of all vertebrate animals, including rats and mice. Compliance with the Policy is required for activities conducted by DHHS units and by awardee institutions as a condition of receiving DHHS funds.  DHHS grants or contracts can be suspended or revoked for noncompliance. 

A major provision of the Policy is the filing and annual updating of an Animal Welfare Assurance. The assurance document must fully describe the institution's animal care and use program. That program must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and other applicable federal laws and must adhere to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). Like the AWA, the Policy requires each institution to establish an IACUC with at least one outside member representing the public. As described in the Policy, the duties and responsibilities of the IACUC are comparable to AWA requirements. Also, each application for a DHHS award includes the number and species of animals to be used, rationale for the use of animals, the veterinary care of the animals, description of the proposed use, procedures to minimize pain and discomfort and method of euthanasia.