Which agency requires an annual report of animals used categorized by pain/distress levels?

The requirement for an annual report categorizing animals used in research by their pain and distress levels comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is stipulated under the Animal Welfare Act, which mandates that institutions using animals for research must report specific details, including the categories of pain or distress experienced by the animals. This regulation enhances transparency and accountability in animal research, ensuring that the welfare of the animals is a priority and that any potential pain or distress is properly monitored and reported.

The other organizations mentioned play important roles in the realm of animal welfare and laboratory animal care but do not specifically mandate this annual reporting requirement to the same extent as the USDA. Each has distinct functions, such as accreditation or providing guidelines and resources, but it is the USDA that enforces the requirement for categorization of pain and distress in annual reports.