According to article 190 of the OPAn, experimenters and study directors must attend at least four days of continuing education per four-year period, i.e. ONE DAY PER YEAR.
Continuing education is available as:
- Theoretical courses
- Practical courses
- Seminars or symposia
A regular continuing education follow-up is a key aspect of Swiss legislation, and failure to comply with these requirements may have an impact on the validity of qualifying training courses (Module 1 and/or Module 2) and on the granting of experimentation authorizations.
If you are a Module 1 and/or Module 2 holder who is not currently working with animal models, you must still ensure that you follow continuing education courses to maintain the validity of your certifications, in anticipation of a possible return to activities involving animals.
Likewise, if you leave Switzerland to work abroad, you will need to update your continuing education once you return to Switzerland, in case you decide to take over activities involving animal experimentation.
Compliance with these regulations and guidelines helps to ensure respect for animal welfare and the quality of research carried out in Switzerland.
