Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 20387 establishes the requirements biobanks must meet to ensure the quality, traceability, and reliability of samples and associated information. Obtaining this accreditation involves a rigorous and independent assessment covering aspects such as staff training, process safety, quality control systems, confidentiality management, infrastructure, and continuous improvement.
Notably, Neurological Tissue Banks represent a highly specialized and distinctive category among the more than 500 biobanks across Europe. In this context, including a Neurological Tissue Bank within the scope of the Biobank’s ISO 20387 accreditation strengthens its position as a reference infrastructure for providing high-quality biological samples and associated data for biomedical research.
This recognition reinforces the confidence of the scientific community, healthcare professionals, donors, and funding bodies, while also facilitating collaboration with national and international research centres through the adoption of globally recognised and harmonised standards.
The accreditation is the result of a collective effort involving all areas of the HCB-IDIBAPS Biobank. The process relied on the coordinated work of the Neurological Tissue Bank, the Tumour and Tissue Bank, the Biological Fluids Bank, and the Data Management, Documentation and Quality area, as well as the support of the quality units of IDIBAPS and Hospital Clínic, the guidance of the Biobank Scientific Directorate, and the commitment of the IDIBAPS leadership and management teams.
