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The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee’s (IACUC) mandate of performing a semiannual self-evaluation is important for ensuring a healthy institutional Animal Care and Use Program. Both the USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWRs) and PHS Policy require this semiannual review at least once every six months.
The semiannual review has three main goals:
1. To monitor the facilities and program of animal care and use to determine if they meet the standards in the AWRs and PHS Policy.
2. To identify deficiencies, create a plan and schedule for correcting any found, and ensure corrections are made.
3. To communicate the results of the review to the IO, along with any suggestions improving the facilities or program.
and consists of:
• an inspection of areas that house animals or that support animal use procedures; and
• a review of the Animal Care and Use Program.

Unlike the “bricks and mortar” animal facility inspection, review of the Animal Care and Use Program refers to activities such as training, occupational health and safety, IACUC functions, and adherence to institutional policies that ensure compliance with the AWRs and PHS Policy.

USDA and PHS expect that during this semiannual review BOTH the animal facilities will be inspected AND the program of animal care and use will be evaluated. This point is emphasized in both the AWRs and PHS Policy by the separation of the requirements into two paragraphs — one paragraph for the program review, and a separate paragraph for facilities inspection.
The AWRs stipulate that the IACUC must base its review on the AWRs and PHS Policy states that the review be based upon PHS Policy, which includes the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
The AWRs require that at least two IACUC members perform the semiannual review. The IACUC may invite consultants to assist in the process, although as with protocol review and other IACUC mandates, the IACUC itself remains responsible for the final review.

By law, no IACUC member who wishes to participate may be excluded. Because this evaluation provides such a valuable overview of the facilities and the Animal Care and Use Program, it is considered a best practice for all members to attend, if possible.
Once the semiannual review is complete, a report must be written summarizing the findings of the IACUC. The report must have two general components:
1. A description of the nature and extent of the research facility’s adherence to the provisions of the AWRs and PHS Policy.
2. Specific identification of departures from the provisions, along with the reason(s) for each departure.
The report is then reviewed and signed by a majority of the IACUC members. This means a majority of the entire committee, not just the members who conducted the evaluation or a majority of a convened quorum. The report must also include any minority views expressed by any IACUC member.

Once reviewed and signed by the IACUC, the report is submitted to the Institutional Official (IO). By reviewing the report, the IO can gain an understanding of how effective the Animal Care and Use Program is and what resources need to be committed to improve the program or correct deficiencies.
Although not required by law, it is a best practice for the IACUC to have the opportunity to discuss the results of the report in a meeting with the IO.