Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Article 13 Choice of methods

1. Without prejudice to national legislation prohibiting certain types of methods, Member States shall ensure that a procedure is not carried out if another method or testing strategy for obtaining the result sought, not entailing the use of a live animal, is recognised under the legislation of the Union.

2. In choosing between procedures, those which to the greatest extent meet the following requirements shall be selected:

(a) use the minimum number of animals;

(b) involve animals with the lowest capacity to experience pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm;

(c) cause the least pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm;

and are most likely to provide satisfactory results.

3. Death as the end-point of a procedure shall be avoided as far as possible and replaced by early and humane end-points. Where death as the end-point is unavoidable, the procedure shall be designed so as to:

(a) result in the deaths of as few animals as possible; and

(b) reduce the duration and intensity of suffering to the animal to the minimum possible and, as far as possible, ensure a painless death.