Regulation No. 460/2017 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

This regulation establishes a comprehensive animal welfare framework for the use of animals in scientific research and education, implementing the EU’s Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Its core purpose is to reduce animal use, ensure respect for animal welfare, and prevent unnecessary suffering through the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement (the “3Rs”). It applies to live vertebrates (including certain fetal and larval stages), cephalopods, and some crustaceans used in experiments or bred for scientific use. All breeders, suppliers, and users must be licensed by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (Matvælastofnun), and specific approval is required for experiments. The regulation restricts animal experiments to defined purposes such as basic research, medical and veterinary research, environmental protection, species conservation, higher education, and forensic investigation, while prohibiting experiments causing severe prolonged suffering and banning the use of live animals for cosmetic testing.
The regulation also imposes strict operational safeguards for animal welfare. Experiments must use the fewest animals possible, prioritize alternatives to live animal use, and minimize pain through anaesthesia, analgesia, and humane endpoints. Special protections apply to endangered species, non-human primates, wild-caught animals, and stray domestic animals, with use generally prohibited unless narrow scientific exceptions apply. Facilities must maintain trained staff, designated veterinarians, animal welfare bodies, detailed recordkeeping, and proper housing conditions. Rules also govern euthanasia, re-use of animals, rehoming, identification of certain species, and annual reporting. Enforcement lies with Matvælastofnun, which can suspend licences and impose sanctions for non-compliance.