Workshops

Registration for workshops is open. When you finish the registration for the congress, you will receive the link for workshop form via email.

FELASA Severity Classification and Reporting under Directive 2010/63/EU - a Train the Trainer Workshop

Date: 2 June, 2026 ⎸ 9:00 - 13:00
Capacity: 40 participants
Fee: 30 EUR

Directive 2010/63/EU introduced the requirement for the classification of procedures (Article 15) during the application for project authorisation to use animals in scientific procedures. It also introduced the requirement to report the actual severity experienced by each animal used in a procedure. Both these processes provide opportunity to refine the adverse effects of procedures. Consistency of assignment of severity categories across Member States is a key requirement to promote harmonization in animal use and statistical reporting. The FELASA Severity Classification Working Group (SWG), who have developed additional guidance and examples of severity assignment, has hosted a number of successful workshops (WS) in many Member States and since 2016 at FELASA Congresses. It remains clear at these workshops that there remain significant misunderstandings of the severity framework as set out in the Directive, and that further workshops would be helpful across the EU Member States (MS) to continue to promote a consistent approach to severity assessment and reporting and as a consequence improve animal welfare.

This WS aims at training people to be able to deliver Severity Classification WS to a high standard utilising well-established validated models of animals used in scientific procedures, to develop a common understanding of classification and reporting across EU.

Target Audience: People who are experienced with severity classification of procedures and willing to help others to become proficient in this matter and have previously participated in one of the FELASA Severity Classification Workshops given over the last years.

MatTek Workshop

Date: 2 June, 2026 ⎸ 14:00 - 16:00
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: Free

The workshop will provide a brief overview of in vitro 3D reconstructed human skin tissue models and their use in toxicology and pharmacology as well as the practical demonstration of EpiDerm Skin Irritation Test (SIT) according to OECD test guideline 439 (TG 439).

EpiDerm 3D human tissue model is used across a diverse range of applications including safety and risk assessment, and biological efficacy. Simple protocols and the evaluation of early cellular endpoints allow researchers to acquire data in a few days.

EpiDerm, a Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE), is a ready-to-use, highly differentiated 3D tissue model consisting of normal, human-derived epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) cultured on specially prepared tissue culture inserts cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI), and allows for the evaluation of topically applied compounds, chemicals, cosmetic/personal care product ingredients, and final formulations. EpiDerm is a proven in vitro model system for chemical, pharmaceutical, and skin care product testing.

EpiDerm is a validated testing method for OECD TG 439 (skin irritation), OECD TG 431 (skin corrosion), OECD TG 498 (phototoxicity), and ISO 10993-23 (biological evaluation of medical devices).

Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to practice the EpiDerm SIT with actual tissue models. The workshop is suitable for everybody who would like to practice the method, consult the specific problem, get information, as well as those who are just considering the use of in vitro models in their research.

FELASA: Severity workshop

Date: 2 June, 2026 ⎸ 14:00 - 18:00
Capacity: 40 participants
Fee: 30 EUR

Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes entered into force in Member States on January 1 , 2013. It requires that experiments be designed to cause the least pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm to the animals used and requests that all procedures be assigned a severity classification in advance of the procedure being performed.

Moreover, new requirements for non-technical summaries will, in the very near future, also ask prospectively for the inclusion of a ‘best estimate’ of the actual, number of animals in each severity classification of a given project. It goes without saying that, in the annual Statistical returns to be reported, the exact number of animals must be classified, based on the actual experienced severity.

This actual severity of any previous procedure is also a key consideration in determining whether or not an animal can be re-used in further procedures. The implementation of a severity classification process, both prospectively and on the completion of studies, thus is a big challenge in animal studies as it entails legal and ethical implications. Having a very good understanding of how to judge severity classification is a paramount feature for properly evaluating research projects with regards to their prospective severity classification and so as to implement procedures with the least harmful effects on animals (refinement), and keep the level of severity of procedures to the lowest possible.

Reporting of actual severity helps to refine similar procedures going forward and improves communication with the public by providing a more detailed picture of what animals experience during procedures. The animal models used in this workshop will be based on commonly used animal species used in Scientific procedures, and will address the three steps described in the document of the Commission’s Expert Working Group which was endorsed by the National Competent Authorities in 2012: designing the project, monitoring it when it is performed and assessing the outcomes after it has ended. Consistency of severity classification across Member States is of the utmost importance to harmonise project licensing and reporting.

Therefore, the European Commission has encouraged FELASA to perform Workshops on Severity Classification of Procedures, that could be held in the Various Member States. The Workshop gives you an introduction to what must be done, and how to evaluate severity.

ECLAM Workshop – Vets present your case!

Date: 3 June, 2026 ⎸ 8:00 - 9:30
Capacity: 200 participants
Fee: Free

"Vets present your case" is a workshop for veterinarians who work or wish to work in the field of laboratory animal science and medicine, designed and hosted by the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ECLAM).

The workshop was inaugurated during the 2025 FELASA Congress. It aims to address key points of veterinary advice offered by laboratory animal veterinarians while performing their designated veterinarian or clinical veterinarian duties. An introductory presentation entitled "Veterinary consultation on laboratory animal care and use" (Argyro Zacharioudaki) sets the framework of veterinary advice on animal care and use and underlines legal requirements and the stages of project design and implementation and overall establishment operation where the veterinarian can offer valuable input and oversight in order to ensure animal welfare. This is followed by group work on solving three selected real case scenarios.

During group work participants are asked to consider aspects of veterinary consultation and communication while advising for refinement and treatment. Group work discussions and "solutions" are presented to all participants at a final discussion facilitated by the veterinarian who shared the original scenario (3 case presenters & case titles TBC).

ESLAV-ECLAM Workshop: Designated Veterinarian from Policy to Practice

Date: 3 June, 2026 ⎸ 8:30 - 11:00
Capacity: 200 participants
Fee: Free

The Directive 2010/63/EU states in its article 25 that the Designated Veterinarian (DV) has advisory duties in relation to the wellbeing and treatment of the animals. However, the tasks and the role itself of the DV are not harmonized across Europe. The goal of this workshop is to highlight the challenges and situations that DVs face in their daily job, especially in central and east European countries. Participants will also be invited to actively discuss specific situations they have encountered in their own role. The workshop aims to facilitate the creation of a network of DVs working in central and eastern Europe, that will provide support and mentorship to help them in their daily work. The audience is expected to be veterinarians, mainly in the role of DV, from different countries.

Surgery workshop

Date: 3 June, 2026 ⎸ 8:00 - 11:00
Capacity: 55 participants
Fee: Free

Do you manage a facility where rodent surgeries are performed or do surgeries on rodents yourself? Do you want to use good surgical practice to improve outcome and validity of your studies – but don't know where to start or struggle with implementing it into rodent surgery due to the specific (micro)surgical setting? Do you feel you miss arguments to convince your researchers or are you unsure how to set up a facility for rodent surgeries?
Then join us for a 3-hour workshop on good surgical practice for rodent surgery! The workshop aims to provide step-by-step guidance on the key principles of good surgical practice and how to implement them into your facility or your daily surgical routine. Additionally, we would like to discuss your individual challenges and possible solutions – to finally figure out together what we can do to improve the current situation!

Future-ready Vivariums: Tecniplast's Automation Loop to transform LAS Operations through automation, data and sustainability

Date: 4 June, 2026 ⎸ 12:45 - 13:45
Capacity: without limit
Fee: Free

The Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) sector is undergoing profound transformation. Alongside growing public skepticism toward in vivo research—despite its essential role in developing new therapeutic compounds—our industry is facing a significant generational shift. New professionals are less willing to perform repetitive, manual tasks based on decades‑old procedures, while institutions increasingly demand stronger scientific justification, improved reproducibility, and data‑driven validation of animal use. At the same time, sustainability is becoming a strategic priority, requiring workflows that minimize ecological impact and resource consumption.
In this complex context, automation and digitalization have become essential to ensuring operational continuity, scientific reliability, and staff retention. Tecniplast’s “Automation Loop” initiative connects the full spectrum of technologies developed in recent years to create an integrated, efficient, and future‑ready LAS workflow. This includes advanced washing‑area automation—robotics and AGVs for cage handling, disassembly and assembly—as well as digitalized home‑cage systems that guide cage‑change tasks, support monitoring based on real‑time animal‑derived data, and improve precision and efficiency. All solutions are designed with ecological impact and resource optimization in mind.
This seminar provides an overview of automation and digital platforms developed specifically for LAS facilities, illustrating how innovation—already widespread in other industries—can prepare today’s laboratories and vivaria for current and future challenges.

LAL Workshop - Publishing Together: Fostering Openness and Participation in LAS Scientific Communication

Date: 5 June, 2026 ⎸ 12:25 - 13:45
Capacity: without limit
Fee: Free

This workshop will foster inclusive dialogue within the Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) community, with a focus on engaging underrepresented Central and Eastern European associations. It aims to strengthen regional collaboration, inform editorial strategies for the Laboratory Animals Journal (LAJ), and promote best practices in animal welfare, research integrity, and the 3Rs. Participants will explore future directions in LAS communication, including Open Access models and the ethical integration of AI technologies, while identifying barriers and opportunities for broader participation in publishing and editorial activities. Through interactive group work and live polling, attendees will co-create proposals for an “ideal LAS journal,” generating actionable feedback to guide LAJ’s community engagement strategy. Outcomes will include a summary report and perspective piece for LAJ, supporting a more representative and responsive publishing ecosystem across a growing pan-European LAS network.