e u r o p e a n • c o l l e g e • o f • l a b o r a t o r y • a n i m a l • m e d i c i n e

CONSTITUTION

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INTRODUCTION

The European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ECLAM) was initiated by a steering group of the European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians (ESLAV) members, which resulted from a growing desire to harmonise postgraduate training and to provide certification for veterinarians in Laboratory Animal Medicine in Europe.

Laboratory Animal Medicine is that speciality of veterinary medicine, which deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in animals used in biomedical research. Its major tasks are to:

• Prevent, diagnose, control and treat diseases of laboratory animals
  
• Prevent, alleviate, and minimise animal pain and distress
  
• Train scientific, animal care and ancillary staff
  
• Provide research support (e.g. animal research techniques), information (e.g. comparative and normative biology, nomenclature), and services (e.g. pre- and post-operative care, critical care, anaesthesia and analgesia, euthanasia)
  
• Develop and manage animal husbandry programmes (incl. genetic and microbiological standardisation procedures)
  
• Prepare and review animal use protocols
  
• Design and operate laboratory animal facilities
  
• Control the environment (e.g. physical, social) of laboratory animals
  
• Provide consultation and advice on compliance with laws, regulations and standards
  
• Select and produce animals for research
  
• Be professionally involved in the design and conduct of biomedical research
  
• Contribute to the humane use of animals in biomedical research together with the search for alternatives.

This publication provides the Constitution and By-laws of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, as accepted by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation.

CONSTITUTION

Article I - NAME

Section 1. The name of the organisation shall be the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ECLAM).

Article II - INCORPORATION

Section 1. The European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine shall be incorporated under the laws of France as a non-profit educational organisation. The term for which it is organised shall be indefinite. However, in the event of dissolution of the Corporation, its property shall be distributed for educational purposes as determined by the council.

Article III - OBJECTIVES

Section 1. To further scientific progress in Laboratory Animal Medicine.

Section 2 To establish standards of training, experience, and examination for qualification as a Specialist in Laboratory Animal Medicine.

Section 3. To further the recognition of such qualified Specialists by suitable certification and other means.

Section 4. Developing and supervising continuing education programmes in Laboratory Animal Medicine.

Article IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The types of membership in this organisation shall be:

1. Founding diplomate
2. Diplomate
3. Non practising Diplomate
4. Honorary member

Section 2. Qualifications for membership:

1. In accordance with the policies of the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation only veterinarians may become Diplomates of European veterinary speciality colleges. Veterinarians elected to membership of the College shall be designated a Diplomate of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and shall be authorised to use the designation of Diplomate of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (Diplomate, European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine; DipECLAM ).

Founding diplomates shall be specialists selected according to the following criteria in order to establish the College and to enable it to function during the initial period. There are two types of Founding Diplomates who are not required to submit to examination:

    1.1. Charter Diplomate. These Founding Diplomates are distinguished and experienced members in the field. They must:

        A. Be a member of the organising committee;
        B. Have achieved distinction in the field and have qualifications far exceeding those proposed as necessary for candidates to take the certifying examination of the organisation;
        C. Have at least ten years experience in the speciality
        D. Have contributed significantly to the field by research, publication and lectures
        E. Be recognised by their peers as leaders in their field and be uncontroversial to the majority of members.
        F. Be significantly active in Europe in the speciality of Laboratory Animal Medicine.

    1.2. De facto-recognised Specialist. These are founding diplomates appointed by the Charter Diplomates. The de-facto recognition is possible upon application no later than 24 months after provisional recognition of ECLAM by the EBVS. To be appointed one must:

        A. Have at least seven years of experience in the speciality;
        B. Spend at least 60 per cent of his or her time in the speciality;
        C. Have published at least three original articles in refereed journals as first author and at least three additional articles as co-author excluding non-peer reviewed review articles and proceedings abstracts.
        D. Be significantly active in Europe in the speciality of Laboratory Animal Medicine.

2. Diplomate: A veterinarian who satisfies the ECLAM requirements as to training, experience and competence in Laboratory Animal Medicine (as hereinafter described in Article V) shall be eligible. Election of such candidates shall be accomplished by majority vote of the Council.

3. Non practising Diplomate: Any Diplomate who has retired from the practice or teaching of Laboratory Animal Medicine may be designated a Non-practising Diplomate by the Council, at the Diplomate´s request. Non-practising Diplomates will be requested to pay a reduced fee in order to maintain all the privileges of Diplomates, except the right to hold office.

4. Honorary Member: A person who has contributed in an extraordinary manner to the advancement of Laboratory Animal Medicine may be elected by majority vote of the Council, confirmed by a majority vote of the membership of the College. Honorary members shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to vote or hold office and shall not be required to pay dues. Honorary member status does not confer the right to act as a specialist in Laboratory Animal Medicine.

Section 3. Only Diplomates of good standing with no dues in arrears shall be eligible to vote or hold office.

Section 4. All Diplomates are required to maintain active in Laboratory Animal Medicine, maintain certification by continuing education with re-evaluation in a form determined by the Council and approved by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation. They must maintain active in the affairs of the College, particularly by regular attendance at meetings.

Article V - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD EXAMINATION

Section 1. The following prerequisites must be met to the satisfaction of the Council before any candidate is eligible to undertake any Board Examination in Laboratory Animal Medicine. An eligible candidate must:

A. Have a satisfactory moral and ethical standing in relation to the practice of veterinary medicine;

B. Be qualified to practice veterinary medicine in Europe, unless relieved from this requirement in exceptional cases by the Council of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine;

C. Complete at least 4 years of training and experience in Laboratory Animal Medicine, subsequent to graduation from veterinary school that is acceptable to the Council. Acceptable means a training programme of at least two years that is directed by a Diplomate of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine;

D. If either the supervisor is not a Diplomate or the program does not provide training in Laboratory Animal Medicine as one of its primary functions, then 6 years of training in Laboratory Animal Medicine are required. One of these 6 years must be spent in training under the general supervision of a Diplomate (not necessarily at the same place of work), or in a program that trains Laboratory Animal Medicine as one of its primary functions;

E. Have been the first author of two original articles which demonstrate application of scientific methods on subjects that are relevant to Laboratory Animal Medicine. The article must have been published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

F. Be active in laboratory animal medicine for at least 20 hours a week.

Section 2. Applications will be made to the Secretary in a prescribed form and will be accompanied by an examination fee fixed by the Council. Letters of reference from supervisors and others are to be sent directly to the Secretary.

Section 3. Eligible candidates will be examined by an Examining Committee appointed by the Council at the time and place fixed by the Council and in accordance with the policy established by the Council.

Article VI - OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the organisation shall consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Councillors.

Section 2. The election of these officers and their duties shall be as provided in the by-laws.

Article VII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Any proposed amendment to this Constitution and to the by-laws, signed by at least three members of good standing, shall be submitted to the Council for its recommendation. The proposed amendment with the recommendations of the Council will be announced at least thirty (30) days in advance of any regular or special meeting of the College at which time the proposed amendment may be discussed. An affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of members voting by secret ballot shall be required for the adoption of any amendment.

originally approved by EBVS on 19/9/2000
amended October 2005

e u r o p e a n • c o l l e g e • o f • l a b o r a t o r y • a n i m a l • m e d i c i n e