NAICS Code 112990-04 - Animals-Laboratory Use

Tools commonly used in the Animals-Laboratory Use industry for day-to-day tasks and operations.

• Animal cages and housing units
• Anesthesia machines
• Surgical instruments
• Microscopes
• Animal feed and water dispensers
• Animal identification systems (e.g. ear tags, microchips)
• Laboratory equipment (e.g. centrifuges, spectrophotometers)
• Animal handling and restraint equipment (e.g. gloves, masks, nets)
• Environmental control systems (e.g. temperature and humidity monitors)
• Animal waste disposal systems

Common products and services typical of NAICS Code 112990-04, illustrating the main business activities and contributions to the market.

• Laboratory mice
• Rats
• Guinea pigs
• Rabbits
• Hamsters
• Non-human primates
• Dogs
• Cats (excluding those used in research for cosmetic products)
• Fish
• Birds

A concise historical narrative of NAICS Code 112990-04 covering global milestones and recent developments within the United States.

• The use of animals in laboratory research dates back to ancient Greece, where Aristotle and his followers conducted experiments on living animals. In the 19th century, the use of animals in research became more widespread, with the development of anesthesia and antiseptics. In the 20th century, the use of animals in research continued to grow, with the development of new technologies and the increasing demand for medical research. In the United States, the use of animals in research is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act, which was passed in 1966 and amended in 1970, 1976, and 1985. The act requires that research facilities provide adequate veterinary care and housing for animals used in research, and that researchers use the minimum number of animals necessary to achieve their research goals. Recent history of the industry in the United States has been marked by increased scrutiny and regulation. In 2015, the National Institutes of Health announced that it would no longer fund research on chimpanzees, except in cases where it was necessary for human health. In 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed all chimpanzees as endangered, which made it more difficult to use them in research. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it would no longer regulate the treatment of birds, mice, and rats in research, which drew criticism from animal rights groups. Despite these challenges, the use of animals in research continues to be an important part of medical research in the United States.