Source: China Standards Information Service Network
The newly released biobanking guidance document will help further drive scientific research and development.
Biobanks really are changing our world. Holding hundreds of millions of biological samples — from humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms — biobanks help the global scientific community advance everything from crop production to the development of personalized medicines.
ISO has released ISO 20387, the international standard on biobanking requirements, which is widely used. The new guidance document has just been released to help organizations get the most out of it.
ISO/TR 22758, "Biotechnology — Biobanking — Implementation guide for ISO 20387", provides detailed guidance on how to implement ISO 20387, "Biotechnology — Biobanking — General requirements for biobanking".
The new technical report is intended to complement rather than replace ISO 20387, which sets out the requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of biobanks. Together, the two documents help raise the quality of biological materials and of the data collected, stored, and shared, enhance the outcomes of collaboration, build trust between partners, and advance research and development.
Dr. Ricardo Gent, Chair of the ISO committee that develops biobanking standards, said biobanks vary widely in the types of biological materials they hold, the activities they undertake, the services they provide, and their geographic locations, sizes, and structures.
"Having internationally agreed common guidance helps improve the performance of biobanks because it removes these differences and creates global consensus on quality, trust, and reliability," he said.
"The requirements of ISO 20387 are already complex, so the supplementary guidance in ISO/TR 22758 will help organizations better understand how to implement the standard and how to fully realize the benefits it brings."
ISO/TR 22758 and ISO 20387 were developed by ISO/TC 276 Biotechnology, the secretariat of which is held by DIN, ISO's German member.
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