WATCH Act

Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act of 2023 or the WATCH Act

This bill subjects foreign laboratories that receive federal funds and that conduct animal research to U.S. animal welfare regulations.

The National Institutes of Health must establish a process to inspect these laboratories on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with U.S. animal welfare regulations, such as the use of animal care committees and evaluations of animal care and treatment. Laboratories that are found to be noncompliant, and that do not take appropriate corrective action, are subject to funding revocation.