Press Release: Public Health: Commission refers Poland to Court for failure to comply with EU legislation on quality and safety of human tissues and cells

On 26 September 2013, the European Commission decided to take Poland to the European Court of Justice for non-compliance with EU rules on the quality and safety of human tissues and cells.

Human tissues and cells are used in healthcare to treat people for a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. The transplantation of tissues and cells carries potential risks for disease transmission and this is why it is important to comply with EU legislation aimed at ensuring their quality and safety from donation to transplantation. This is the purpose of Directive 2004/23/CE and its implementing Directives.