Ask recognition for equivalent courses followed abroad

For your information

Some courses organized in Europe and Switerland are accreditated by FELASA (Federation of Europeans Laboratory Animal Science associations).

By the past, classification system for the different courses were based on "category"  (category A: taking care of animals; category B: carrying out procedures on animals; category C: designing procedures and projects; category D: specialist in laboratory animal science).

Following EU Directive and document on common education and training framework edited by Brussels, Felasa is now accrediting courses using the "functions" system (EU Function A: carrying out procedures on animals; EU Function B: designing procedures and projects; EU Function C: taking care of animals; EU Function D: killing animals)

In France ex-education "niveau 1" corresponds to EU function B (module 2 in CH); ex-education course "niveau 2" corresponds to EU fonction A (module 1 in CH)

Swiss legislation requires organization of 2 courses - module 1 and module 2 - ; contents of those 2 courses groups all 4 european functions

Module 1 - sp. rats/mice -  organized by resal  is a course  accreditated  "Felasa EU functions ACD".

Module 1 - sp. rats/mice - organized by LTK is a course accreditated  "Felasa EU functions ACD".

An ask to accreditate Module 2 as  a "Felasa EU fonction B" course is pending. 

Equivalence for module 1 and/or module 2

If someone followed abroad a potentially equivalent course on animal experimentation, it's possible to ask for an equivalence. Decision is only taken by veterinarian cantonal authorities, after examination of documents, on a case-by-case basis. Authorities decide for a full or a partial equivalence; if full equivalence is accepted, participant may register to a short one day course entitled "Ethics, legislation and 3R"; if partial equivalence is accepted, authorities will indicate to candidate which part of module 1 or module 2 course he/she should register for.

If you are concerned, you must contact your director of animal experimentation. 

• if your are working at UNIGE (CMU, Sciences) or  HUG:  please contact Dr. Elsa Meylan (direction-expanim@unige.ch)
• if your are working at l'UNIL or CHUV, please contact Dr. Laure Seriot (direxpanim@unil.ch)
• if your are working at EPFL, please contact Dr. Phoukham Phothirath (animallicenses@epfl.ch)
• if your are working at Campus Biotech for UNIGE or EPFL, please contact Dr. Quentin Barraud (quentin.barraud@epfl.ch)

You must provide your CV (including publication list) and all the documents regarding the course you attended (program, content - theoretical and practical - mentionning the type of procedures, duration) and certificate of attendance. Contact persons will help you and forward your ask to cantonal veterinarian authorities.