WATCH Act

Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act of 2026 or the WATCH Act This bill requires foreign laboratories that receive federal funds for conducting animal research to undergo quarterly inspections to ensure compliance with U.S. animal welfare regulations. The National Institutes of Health, in coordination with foreign authorities, must establish a process to inspect these laboratories on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with U.S. animal welfare regulations, such as the use of animal care committees and evaluations of animal care and treatment. Laboratories that are found to be noncompliant, and that do not take appropriate corrective action, are subject to funding revocation.