Directive 2010/63/EU contains a requirement that all procedures should be classified as `non-recovery`, `mild`, `moderate`, or `severe` on a case-by-case basis, using the assignment criteria set out in Annex VIII. Member States shall ensure that a procedure is not performed if it involves severe pain, suffering or distress that is likely to be long-lasting and cannot be ameliorated.

Annex VIII defines the severity categories, gives guidance on assignment criteria and gives examples of different types of procedure in each of the categories.

Since 2016, FELASA has offered workshops on severity classification in Europe to ensure that colleagues from all Member States are well informed and trained to effectively deliver the severity classification prospectively and report the actual severity at the end of each procedure according to the Framework set out in the Directive. This is to ensure that prospective classification in project design and evaluation on the use of animals in procedures, and the information on the actual severity in the statistical reporting of the procedures is aligned across Europe. Thousands of delegates have already followed one or more ‘FELASA Severity Workshops’.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is to promote the consistent use of the severity classification framework with optimal refinement of all procedures. These Workshops will offer delegates information and hands on training to harmonise severity classifications within Member States. Additionally, it will be an essential aid to comply with the severity classification Framework as regulated in the EU Directive.

What are the FELASA Severity Workshops?

The FELASA Severity Workshops are interactive sessions, delivered by experts in the field of severity classification and reporting. They are offered in selected scientific events and can also be organised on request to individual establishments or organisations.

The Severity Workshop will always consist of three parts and take around 4 hours.

An introduction on the severity assessment Framework, including the differences between prospective, estimated and actual severity and the differences between simple and complex procedures. Thereafter selected real models are presented, and the delegates will work in groups to distinguish the steps which make up the procedure, the impacts on welfare, the refinements and the humane endpoints. These steps are subsequently discussed in the full class and specific combinations are discussed by using an online voting system. Lastly a wrap-up will conclude all lessons learned and gives the delegates options for further reading.

Who is involved in the FELASA Severity Workshops project, and how can you become involved?

The project is led and supervised by the FELASA SW Core Trainers. The Core Trainers are appointed by FELASA to coordinate the Workshops, train new trainers and align all workshop materials. This way all FELASA Severity Workshops in Europe will teach the same message and framework. This means that models are interpreted in the same way for all sessions in all Member States.

Each FELASA Severity Workshop is delivered by one or more specialised trainer(s).

The implementation of a severity classification process, both prospectively and retrospectively, is a big challenge in animal studies as it entails legal and ethical implications. On the other hand, it is an important and useful tool for properly evaluating research projects with regards to their prospective severity classification so as to implement the least constraining procedures (refinement) and keep the level of severity of procedures to the lowest possible.

To teach delegates in EU member States to accurately use the severity classification Framework, we call upon interested colleagues to become a trainer.

How to organise a FELASA Severity Workshop?

To organise a FELASA Severity Workshop, you should contact your local Laboratory Animal Science Association, see https://felasa.eu/about-us/members.

In case your local association cannot help you, you may also contact the Core Trainers who will assist you, email severity.workshops at felasa.eu.

How to become a Severity Workshop trainer?

To be an independent trainer you need to have:
a. Followed at least one Severity Workshop
b. Followed at least one Train-the-Trainer session
c. Joined as an observer and/or facilitator in at least one Severity Workshop
d. Presented at least one workshop supervised by a Core Trainer
e. Shown in depth knowledge and understanding of one or more of the presented models as presented in the severity assessment Framework (2012) or Smith et al., 2018.

In exceptional cases, tailor-made trajectories are designed in agreement with the Core Trainers group.

Note of importance

- Trainers will always present Severity Workshops in agreement with the document: Organizing and Delivering a Severity Classification Workshop.
- Trainers will always present Severity Workshops in accordance with the latest updates in agreement with the Core Trainers.
- Trainers are committed to present Severity Workshops on a regular basis.
- Trainers will never receive payment for presenting the Severity Workshops. However, their travel and subsistence should be provided by the local organisers.

If you have expertise in the field of severity classification and reporting and you would like to become a trainer, please contact your local Laboratory Animal Science Association, see https://felasa.eu/about-us/members.

Please feel free to also make enquiries by contacting the Core Trainers, email severity.workshops at felasa.eu.

Additional Information and Publications

Classification and reporting of severity experienced by animals used in scientific procedures: FELASA/ECLAM/ESLAV Working Group report. Smith D, Anderson D, Degryse AD, Bol C, Criado A, Ferrara A, Franco NH, Gyertyan I, Orellana JM, Ostergaard G, Varga O, Voipio HM. Lab Anim. 2018 Feb;52(1_suppl):5-57. doi: 10.1177/0023677217744587

European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Caring for animals aiming for better science – Directive 2010/63/EU on protection of animals used for scientific purposes – Severity assessment framework, Publications Office, 2018, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/068620

Education and Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS)

Current Core Trainers

Dolores Bonaparte (convenor)
Anne-Dominique Degryse
David Anderson
Delphine Denais-Lalieve
Nelleke Verhave

Past Core Trainers
David Smith
Livia D'Angelo
Ana Criado

FELASA Severity Workshops

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