ZEBET - Centre for Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Experiments

The Centre for Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Experiments (ZEBET) was established in 1989. The goal of this scientific institution is to bring about the replacement particularly of legally prescribed animal experiments with alternative test methods, to reduce the number of test animals to the absolutely necessary level and to alleviate the pain and suffering of animals used in experiments. ZEBET is responsible for documenting alternatives to animal experiment, for assessing them and for recommending or also pushing through their recognition both nationally and internationally.

The EU Council Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes and the German Animal Welfare Act are of major importance for the work of ZEBET. In principle, the following is laid down in § 7 para 2: "An experiment shall not be performed if another scientifically satisfactory method of obtaining the result sought, not entailing the use of an animal, is reasonably and practicably available."

Since its inception ZEBET has been involved within BfR by the federal government or the competent departments in the elaboration of new laws and ordinances in which the problem of experimental animals is touched on, for instance in the amendment to the Animal Welfare Act or the preparation of EU directives.

With regard to the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, ZEBET is the information office for alternatives to animal experiment for the competent authorities of the federal Laender. To this end, the ZEBET database on alternative methods was set up. Since the beginning of 2000 it has been accessible free-of-charge on the Internet in English through DIMDI.

Another important task of ZEBET is the experimental validation of methods not involving animal experiments in order to secure their inclusion in international official, safety toxicological test directives. ZEBET also undertakes its own research and has a separate budget to promote specific projects on the development of alternative methods by other institutions.

ZEBET, in its capacity as a state body, has a special position since similar institutions in other countries are financed through donations from industry.