In 1989 the International Primatological Society (IPS) published an outline of general principles relating to the welfare and use of primates. These were followed in 1993 by very much more detailed codes of practice specifying requirements for physical and psychological welfare. The two sets of guidelines are complimentary, and to improve ease of access have now been published together as one volume. However, in the process a few typographical errors have crept in. Most of the use of non-human primates still occurs outside the source countries, but studies using primates are constantly changing. There are moves away from using wild caught animals towards captive bred supplies (sometimes within the countries of origin) and research in source countries is increasing. The use of primates cuts across national boundaries and there is a clear need for international agreement on the necessary standards. These guidelines, which have been produced as a synthesis of international expertise, are a step in the right direction and should help to persuade those whose regulations are not up to the mark.