Transplant medicine and transplantation have progressed in recent decades in a way that nobody could have imagined before, yet demand for transplantable organs still far exceeds supply – with important consequences for health. The transplantation of organs offers major therapeutic benefits and improvements to quality of life and is, in many cases, the only life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure. As with all substances of human origin, transplantation of human organs entails a risk of disease transmission. Comprehensive quality systems and appropriate donor screening and selection must therefore be in place to guarantee the best possible transplantation outcomes. The Guide to the quality and safety of organs for transplantation (Organ Guide) contributes to meeting this need.

The 8th Edition of the Organ Guide collates state-of-the-art information to provide an indispensable overview of the most recent advancements in the field and technical guidance to ensure the safety and quality of human organs intended for transplantation, with the ultimate goal of improving successful and safe organ transplantation rates. Easy access to this information is essential for all stakeholders concerned – professionals involved in identifying possible organ donors, co-ordinators managing living or deceased donation pathways, those responsible for the allocation and clinical use of human organs, quality managers within the process, and health authorities responsible for donation and transplantation programmes.

The electronic version of the Guide can be downloaded for free online.  The paper version is available for purchase from the EDQM Store.

The Guide to the quality and safety of tissues and cells for human applications (the “Tissues and cells guide”) is intended for:

• professionals involved in identifying potential donors;
• transplant co-ordinators managing the process of donation after death;
• bone marrow and cord blood collection centres;
• fertility clinics;
• tissue establishments processing and storing tissues and cells;
• testing laboratories;
• organisations responsible for human application;
• inspectors auditing the establishments;
• and health authorities responsible for tissues and cells for human application.

Learn more by downloading the Tissues and cells guide information leaflet (PDF).

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EDQM has organised several webinars to discuss experiences, respond to questions on the impact of COVID-19 on tissue donation and transplantation and provide the best available scientific data to support professionals worldwide and increase the safety of donated tissues and minimise risks for staff working in donation centres and tissue establishments.

Discover all of the training resources available on demand.