Transparency Agreements in Europe
Transparency agreements are national-level commitments aimed at improving openness about how and why animals are used in scientific research. On this page, you can explore the different agreements across Europe, discover which of our partners have signed them, and learn more about the initiatives underway in countries that are developing their own agreements.
Transparency agreements and our partners
A number of national Transparency Agreements are now in place across Europe, each outlining clear commitments to openness in animal research.
This map highlights all countries that currently have a Transparency Agreement, as well as our partners within those countries who have chosen to join and uphold these commitments. You can learn more about each country’s specific agreement through the following links:
United Kingdom Spain Belgium France Germany Netherlands Portugal Switzerland
Why does transparency matter?
Openness about animal research helps build trust between the scientific community and the public. It allows institutions to explain the goals of their work, the standards they follow, and the impact their research has on human and animal health.
Transparency agreements are voluntary national commitments that research institutions can sign to promote clear, accessible information about their use of animals in science. The first national transparency agreement was launched in the UK in 2014, inspiring similar initiatives across Europe. In Spain, the movement was pioneered by LLuís Montoliu, who promoted and helped shape the national agreement.
By signing a transparency agreement, institutions commit to:
- Communicating clearly about when, how, and why animals are used in research.
- Sharing information openly with the media and public about research conditions and outcomes.
- Developing initiatives that help society better understand the role of animals in scientific progress.
- Reporting annually on their progress and sharing experiences with other signatories.
Supporting new Transparency Agreements
In addition to supporting existing agreements, some of our partners are working towards establishing new transparency frameworks in their own countries. One example is BSRC Alexander Fleming, our partner institution in Greece, which is contributing to national efforts aimed at creating a future Greek Transparency Agreement. These efforts are essential for widening the culture of openness and ensuring that transparent communication becomes a shared standard across Europe and beyond.