Questions and Answers on the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R)

Bf3R is the short form for the "German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals". The abbreviation Bf3R is a reference to the "3R principle" of scientific animal protection according to which the centre works:

• Replace: Replacement of animal experiments by methods or testing strategies not entailing the use of living animals
• Reduce: Reduction of the number of laboratory animals used to a minimum
• Refine: Reduction of the laboratory animals’ suffering

The German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) has the following tasks:

• Intensifying research on alternative methods
• Providing advice to authorities and research institutes
• Standardising alternative methods at an international level
• Supporting research on alternative methods
• Informing the public and specialists

The centre is an integral part of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment with three locations in Berlin. The centre is thus under the leadership of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and its executive committee. The centre’s tasks are carried out in a cross-disciplinary manner, mainly by the department "Experimental Toxicology and ZEBET".

The Bf3R is organised into the following five areas of competence:

1. Centre for Documentation and Evaluation of Alternative Methods to Animal Experiments (ZEBET)
2. Reduction of distress and improvement of living conditions of laboratory animals
3. Alternative methods in toxicology
4. National Committee
5. Coordination of research support for alternative methods

The Bf3R infographic (in German) provides an overview of the tasks and aims of the individual areas of competence: http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/deutsches-zentrum-zum-schutz-von-versuchstieren-infografik.pdf