Background

The work of the Council of Europe in the blood transfusion area started in the 1950's. The relevant Committee is the European Committee on Blood Transfusion (Steering Committee) (CD-P-TS).

Please see: Terms of reference of the European Committee (Partial Agreement) on Blood Transfusion (CD-P-TS); 

This committee built the programme on blood transfusion around three major principles:

• the non-commercialisation of substances of human origin given on the basis of a voluntary and non-remunerated donation;
• mutual assistance;
• and protection for both the donors and the recipients.

Mission

With these objectives in mind, the Council of Europe concentrates on: studying the ethical, legal and organisational aspects of blood transfusion with a view to ensuring quality, increasing availability, avoiding wastage, ensuring optimal use of blood supplies and analysing the possible ethical and organisational impact of new scientific developments.