Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS) FELASA BoM Update Brussels, 12 June 2016 David Smith, Chair Steering Committee

Outline of Presentation Aims of the Platform Current status of ETPLAS Changes to Mutual Recognition document Quality framework for E&T Issues raised during review

Aims of the Platform ( Adapted from EU E&T Working Document) To provide a forum for exchanging information on Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) education and training (E&T) for all stakeholders To provide course providers with the necessary information to establish training courses To provide user community with information on available training courses To provide authorities/employers with the necessary information to facilitate mutual recognition of education and training to promote free movement of personnel involved in LAS

Current Status of ETPLAS Web site launched Course details being received from providers Requests to publish information on CPD & other courses on web site Second AGM & face-to-face meeting held 8th March. Update to NCP February. Additional members joined Steering Committee Presentation, poster & exhibition booth at Congress

Structure of the Steering Committee David Smith (Chair), FELASA, accrediting body Jan van der Valk (Vice Chair), Netherlands, expert designated by MS Beverley Marczycha (Secretary), UK, accrediting body & training provider Hanna-Marja Voipio (Treasurer), Finland, training provider & expert designated by MS Nicole Linklater (Web master), Germany, accrediting body & training provider Peter Bollen, Denmark, training provider & expert designated by MS Magda Castelhano-Carlos, Portugal, training provider & expert designated by MS Patri Vergara, Spain, training provider & expert designated by MS Brun Ulfhake, Sweden, national consortium of training providers Francesca Caloni, Italy, training provider Eirini Fragkiadaki, Greece, training provider Tim Betts, UK, accrediting body & training provider

Funding Bursary from LAL used to develop & launch web site Grant from Swedish government ends December 2016 Grant from LASA for Congress exhibition booth Other award schemes investigated/applied for (NC3Rs) Need to establish long-term funding solution Possible solutions: - levy on training certificates - training provider - contribution from CAs

ETPLAS proposal for minimum requirements for Mutual Recognition of Courses Key factors for mutual recognition of E&T courses identified Set of information requirements for mutual recognition of E&T courses developed – less onerous than those for accreditation Adherence to this proposal will give CAs and employers confidence of an agreed standard (Final) draft reviewed by competent authorities & link provided by EC to Framework document

Main changes to Mutual Recognition Document To bring together and attempt to reconcile differing and sometimes opposing views of the wider Reference Group. The main changes to the document are to: make it clear that whilst ETPLAS will make recommendations, any requirements will continue to be at the discretion of the MS acknowledge that different approaches to E&T in LAS do exist and that there will not necessarily be one solution for all circumstances avoid having to distinguish between approval and accreditation (in the short-term) make it clear that, whilst being aspirational for some, independent accreditation and quality audit are essential to ensure on-going course development and the maintenance of quality (in the long- term)

Mutual Recognition vs Accreditation Mutual recognition of a training course represents a snap-shot of standard – there is no on-going quality control Accreditation of a training course implies independent and on-going review of performance Both processes are open to scrutiny by the CA

Article 23 Competence of personnel Staff shall be adequately educated, trained and supervised until demonstration of requisite competence Member States should ensure through authorisation, or by other means, that the requirements laid down in this paragraph are fulfilled

Framework for establishing a quality E&T programme CAs should have a transparent process in place for ensuring compliance leading to competence - initial course authorisation or by other means - on-going oversight during inspection First stage should be based on (mutual) recognition of course by CA in line with ETPLAS proposal Second stage should be based on acceptance of practical training/competence records by employer in line with ETPLAS proposal (in preparation by ETPLAS) Ultimately, CPD will have some ‘recognition’ applied to it (under consideration by ETPLAS)

Issues raised during review Who decides on quality of courses listed on ETPLAS website – not ETPLAS role Course content more important than QA process Availability of resources (human & financial) to supply information and offer advice from ETPLAS Status (standard) of courses in this proposal vs. those accredited Need to use animals during a course – rationale when others do not need them Importance of using live animals in a course