WHO International Standards for Antibiotics (ISA)

Established, Stored and Distributed by the EDQM

The European Pharmacopoeia

Most viewed pages

Access for existing clients

European Pharmacopoeia

Blood and Organ Guides

Cosmetics & Packaging Guides

Standard Terms

Free access

Pharmeuropa & Pharmeuropa Bio

Email Alert

About WHO International Standards for Antibiotics (ISA)

On 4 May 2006, as decided during the 56th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation (ECBS), the EDQM took over responsibility for the establishment, storage and distribution of WHO International Standards for Antibiotics (ISA) from the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC). ISA are generally intended for the establishment of regional or national secondary standards subsequently used in routine laboratory tests and assays.

For more information, go to the ISA Database.

ISA Establishment Studies

The decision whether or not to start a new ISA establishment study is taken by the WHO ECBS. This committee is composed of scientists from different backgrounds who meet annually and who report directly to the WHO Executive Board. The EDQM is responsible for providing scientific and technical support and for co-ordinating the studies. This entails procurement of suitable bulk material, organisation of the study, production of candidate batches, storage and distribution of the established standards.