The Human Tissue Authority website uses cookies to help improve the content and structure of the site.
For more information about how the Human Tissue Authority uses cookies and how to disable them please read our Privacy Policy


HTA legal Directions

Under the Human Tissue Act, the HTA has the power to issue its expected standards (or Directions) to establishments. This means that the HTA can issue general Directions to establishments to take into account changes in policy and legislation. The HTA may also make Directions that are specific to a particular establishment.

The HTA aims to issue Directions twice yearly rather than on an ad-hoc basis - either in April or September each year.  This should assist establishments to plan ahead and is also intended to minimise any impact of changes to practices and procedures.

Directions 001/2013

Directions on licence fee structure for the financial year 2013/14.

These Directions revoke Directions 001/2012.

Directions 001/2013

Directions 003/2012

Directions given under Regulations 6 and 11 of the Quality and Safety of Organs Intended for Transplantation Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 no.1501) bringing into effect HTA’s Organs Intended for Transplantation – a documentary framework.

Directions 003/2012

Directions 002/2012

Directions on the removal of tissue from the body of a deceased person.

Directions 002/2012

Directions 001/2012

Directions on licence fee structure for the financial year 2012/13. 

These Directions revoke Directions 001/2011.  

Directions 001/2012

Directions 002/2011

Directions bringing into force a self assessment by establishments with an HTA Anatomy, Public Display or Research licence.

Covering letter April 2011

Directions 002/2011

Reference document - Anatomy updated 10 May 2011 - guidance update for questions 8 and 9

Reference document - Public Display sector

Reference document - Research sector 

Online form (HTA01-002/2011)

Directions 001/2011

Directions on licence fee structure for the financial year 2009/10. 

These Directions revoke Directions 001/2007 and 001/2008 and 001/2009  

Directions 001/2011

Directions 003/2010

The Directions consolidate and clarify the standards required under the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety of Tissues and Cells for Human Application) Regulations 2007.

These Directions revoke Directions 001/2006, 002/2007 and 004/2007

Covering letter

Directions 003/2010

Guide to quality and safety assurance of human tissues and cells for patient treatments

Directions 001/2010

Directions bringing into force annual compliance reporting for establishments with an HTA Post Mortem licence.

Covering letter to PM sector April 2011

Directions 001/2010

Reference document - Post Mortem sector

Online form (HTA01-002/2011)

Directions 002/2009

Directions bringing into force HTA codes of practice.

These Directions revoke Directions 002/2006

Directions 002/2009

Directions 001/2009

Directions on licence fee structure for the financial year 2009/10. 

These Directions revoke Directions 001/2007 and 001/2008  

Directions 001/2009

Directions 001/2008

Directions on interim licence fee structure for procurement for human application licences 2008/09

These Directions have been revoked by Directions 001/2009

Directions 001/2008

Directions 004/2007

Directions issued to comply with Regulation 15 (1) of the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007. These Directions come into force on 7 October 2007 and apply only to imports from non European Economic Area (EEA) states. 

These Directions have been revoked by Directions 003/2010

Directions 004/2007

Directions 003/2007

Directions on bringing into force the HTA's Import and Export code of practice

Directions 003/2007

Directions 002/2007

Directions given under the Human Tissue Act 2004 implementing the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007 which implement the requirements of the EUTCD (the parent directive) and the European Commission's first and second technical directives of the parent directive.

These Directions have been revoked by Directions 003/2010

Directions 002/2007

Directions 001/2007

Directions on licence fee structure 2006/07 and 2007/08

These Directions have been revoked by Directions 001/2009

Directions 001/2007

Directions 002/2006

Directions bringing into force certain HTA codes of practice.

These Directions have been revoked by Directions 002/2009

Directions 002/2006

Directions 001/2006

Directions implementing the requirements of the EU Tissue and Cells Directive (the parent directive) and the European Commission's first technical directive of the parent directive.

These Directions have revoked by Directions 003/2010

Directions 001/2006