The International Council for Laboratory Animal Science was established in 1956 at the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS).
ICLAS is a non-governmental organization for international cooperation in laboratory animal science. Its aims are to promote and coordinate the development of laboratory animal science throughout the world, to promote international collaboration and quality monitoring and definition of laboratory animals, to collect and disseminate information and to promote the humane use of animals in research through recognition of ethical principles and scientific responsibilities.