AAALAC International is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. According to AAALAC (www.aaalac.org), accreditation shows that an institution is committed to excellence and scientific validity through continuous improvement of its animal care and use program while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

CIC biomaGUNE is one of the only nine organizations in Spain accredited by AAALAC, putting the Center in a privileged position to participate in international research projects, for which this accreditation is highly valued.

CIC biomaGUNE received AAALAC accreditation in 2015 for the first time and renewed the accreditation in 2018. The re-accreditation process begins with a self-evaluation of the Animal Care and Use Program of the Center, followed by a site visit of AAALAC staff to assess all aspects of the program, including those associated with maintenance of the facilities, occupational health and safety, training of the personnel, as well as all ethical and legal issues related to the use of animals in experimental procedures.