Which organization is responsible for monitoring institutional compliance with PHS policy?

The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) is the primary organization designated to monitor institutional compliance with Public Health Service (PHS) policy regarding the care and use of laboratory animals. This office operates under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and its role includes overseeing compliance with PHS Policy, providing guidance on animal welfare practices, and ensuring that institutions adhere to federal regulations related to animal research.

OLAW conducts regular assessments and may require institutions to submit documentation that demonstrates compliance with established standards. The office is instrumental in promoting responsible animal care and use in research settings, thus ensuring that ethical guidelines are upheld and that animals are treated humanely throughout the research process.

In contrast, while the Animal Welfare Act, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Agriculture have significant roles in animal welfare and research, they do not specifically focus on monitoring compliance with PHS policy in the same way that OLAW does.