EU od 1986. ima konkretne propise koji obuhvaćaju upotrebu životinja u znanstvene svrhe. EU je 22. rujna 2010. donio Direktivu 2010/63/EU kojom se ažurira i zamjenjuje Direktiva 86/609/EEZ iz 1986. o zaštiti životinja koje se koriste u znanstvene svrhe. Novom Direktivom želi se ojačati zakonodavstvo i poboljšati dobrobit životinja koje se još moraju upotrebljavati te u zakonodavstvo EU-a uključiti načelo zamjene, smanjenja i poboljšanja upotrebe životinja. Direktiva 2010/63/EU stupila je na snagu 1. siječnja 2013.

The ENV data and indicators catalogue brings together the data inventory of DG ENV with the library of indicators that are used in environment policy. The indicators library was created in the context of the preparation of the 8th Environment Action Programme but is designed to be useful for many other purposes. Indicators include those managed by EEA, ESTAT or JRC, where relevant but also indicators developed in the context of policy development or implementation (including reporting). For now, this tool is available for DG ENV but will be made successively also available to other services and agencies. It is a version under development (‘beta version’).

Article 5(2) of Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 relates to the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW). With 1995 as the reference year (100% by weight), BMW to landfill had to be reduced to 35% in 2016 (or 2020 in case of a derogation).