This Act sets regulations on animal testing with the purpose of ensuring results of the experiments conducted to these do not cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. The use of vertebrate animals, including fetal forms of mammals in the last third of their normal development and squids may only be authorized for testing purposes by the Danish Centre for Animal Welfare (which is managed by the Council for Animal Experiments and consisting of a chairman, who shall be a judge, and 10 other members) which is nominated by the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. Animal testing shall only be permitted for: prevention of disease, ill-health or other abnormality effecting humans, animals and plants, including the manufacture of drugs, substances and products which are being tested for quality, efficiency and safety (1); assessment, detection, regulation or modification of physiological conditions in human, animals and plants (2); protection of the environment (3); improvement of animal welfare and production of animals for agricultural purposes (3); research, including basic research and research aimed at conservation of certain species (4); higher education and training in animal treatment (5). The Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries establishes rules related to required written communication form which shall now be electronically and the use of certain IT systems (digital formats, digital signature etc.). Regulations derogating from the signature requirements shall be prescribed in a way that appeals for personal signature cannot be waived for certain documents (articles 15a-c).
The Act consists of 5 Chapters: Animal testing (1); Rules for animal testing (2); Danish Centre for Animal Welfare (3); Mandatory digital communication (3a); Penalties and revocation of licenses (4); Entry into force and transition rules (5).