HTA launch revised codes of practice and an additional new code for research

New codes of practice come into force today (15 September).

Issue date: 15 September 2009

The Human Tissue Authority's (HTA) new codes of practice come into force today (15 September). The seven revised codes of practice relate to consent, transplantation, post-mortem examination, donation of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells, anatomical examination, disposal and public display. In addition, an entirely new code on research has been produced for those who store human tissue for research.
 
The codes of practice provide guidance and lay down standards for each of the HTA's regulated sectors. They were produced to reflect the HTA's experience of regulation over the previous three years. The revised codes are designed to support professionals by giving much more advice and guidance based on real-life experience. The codes were approved by Parliament in July 2009.

In late 2008, the HTA held a three month public consultation on the revision of the codes of practice. This consisted of an online consultation, supplemented by consultation workshops that were contributed to by delegates from across the sectors we regulate. The online consultation received 179 responses from individuals and key organisations.

The new codes are available in an interactive format that provides user-friendly online access that includes links to other relevant issues and documents and a pop-up glossary.

Adrian McNeil, Chief Executive of the Human Tissue Authority, said:

"The HTA has been regulating the use of human tissue for three years. We have rewritten our existing codes of practice, and created a new code for research, on the basis of our experience, and the learning and feedback we have received from stakeholders.

"We have consulted widely with those we regulate and used their comments to improve the codes. I am very pleased that the findings of a recent Review by the Better Regulation Executive found that our stakeholders were complimentary about the codes of practice and particularly about the high levels of consultation during their development."

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For further information, please contact Claire Bithell, Senior Media Advisor at the Human Tissue Authority on 0207 211 3439 or claire.bithell@hta.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

• The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) is an independent watchdog that support public confidence by making sure human tissue is used safely and ethically, and with proper consent. We license and inspect organisations that store and use human tissue for purposes including teaching about the human body, carrying out post-mortem examinations, using human tissue to treat patients, carrying out research on human tissue and displaying human bodies or tissue in public. We also give approval for donations of organs and bone marrow from living people.
• The HTA now has 9 codes of practice: Consent; Donation of organs, tissue and cells for transplantation; Post mortem examination; Anatomical examination; Removal, storage and disposal of human organs and tissue; Donation of allogeneic bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells for transplantation; Import and export of human bodies, body parts and tissue; Research; Public display.
• The HTA did not revise the code of practice for Import and export of human bodies, body parts and tissue as this was only published in May 2007.