Compliance

As required by federal, state and university regulations, UHM employees and students who intend to conduct research that involves the use of subjects listed below must check with their respective academic departments, the Office of Research Services, and the appropriate office(s) listed below for approval and guidance.

Committee on Human Studies
The Committee on Human Studies (CHS) functions as the federally mandated Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the UH system. All research proposals involving the use of human subjects or the university's non-public information to identify or contact research subjects need to be reviewed and approved by the CHS. Federal guidelines allow for some research to be exempt from IRB review. However, only the CHS may grant such exemptions.

Environmental, Health and Safety Office
The Environmental, Health and Safety Office (EHSO) ensures safe campus environments through the development and administration of health and safety programs critical to the university experience. Research proposals involving radioactive materials, biological "commodities” (including micro-organisms, plants, animals, biological toxins, cell or tissue samples, recombinant DNA), compressed gas (scuba) diving, certain chemicals and hazardous materials, and the disposal of hazardous materials need to be reviewed and approved by the EHSO.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of animal care and use at the university. Research proposals involving vertebrate animals need to be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

Laboratory Animal Service
Laboratory Animal Service (LAS) is charged with administering the system-wide program of animal care and use involving all vertebrate animals used for research, training, testing, and related activities by university. LAS provides instruction to investigators, staff, students, and visiting researchers on the humane care and use of animals.