The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Appropriate Methods of Killing) Order 1996 came into force in the UK on 1st March 1997. This sets out a revised Schedule 1 to the 1986 Act concerning appropriate methods of humane killing. To accompany this 1996 Order, the Home Office has issued a Code of Practice as guidance to the amended Schedule 1 (which is included in the Code of Practice as an appendix). The approved methods of killing laboratory animals are those which are used to kill animals at designated establishments for scientific purposes (other methods of killing, should there be a requirement for them, can only be used under licence from the Home Office). The revised Schedule 1 lists approved killing methods and secondary procedures which ensure that the animal is dead. These include the following: confirmation of permanent cessation of the circulation, destruction of the brain, dislocation of the neck, exsanguination, confirming the onset of rigor mortis or (after confirming that the animal is insensitive) instantaneous destruction of the body in a macerator.