UKAS supports animal welfare

UKAS accreditation is set to play a key role in support of new regulations governing the licensing of activities involving animals which came into force on 1 October this year. The Animal Welfare (Licencing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 cover activities such as pet shops, cat and dog boarding, the hiring of horses and dog breeding and require these establishments to be licenced by the local authority in which they operate. The licences will need to be renewed each year unless the establishments are assessed as low risk when licences can be issued for two or three years.  Establishments that are certified by a UKAS accredited body, such as the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeders Scheme, will be regarded as low risk and will therefore qualify for a longer licence.

Further information on the licencing process is available from local authorities. Organisations wishing to be accredited to act as a certifying body for animal establishments should contact [email protected].