The Swiss 3R Competence Centre, a nonprofit association located in Bern, promotes research, education and communication for the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation (3Rs principle). To facilitate the development and implementation of effective 3R methods and improve animal welfare, we challenge research paradigms and create innovative alternatives to animal use.

Founded on 27 March 2018, the 3RCC is a joint initiative of academia, the industry, regulators, the government and animal welfare associations. Its partners include 11 universities and higher education institutions represented by their umbrella organisation swissuniversities, the Swiss association of the pharmaceutical industry (Interpharma), the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and Swiss Animal Protection (SAP).

The 3RCC is a scientific centre of national importance working on a non-commercial basis according to article 15 of the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA), and benefits from the support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). SERI as well as the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) are observer members of the 3RCC association.