Press Release: Blood and organ donations: Commission approves EU technical specifications for safety testing equipment

EU-wide technical specifications for products used to test the safety of blood and organ donations were approved by the European Commission on 14 May 2002. These common technical specifications (CTS) replace existing national rules for products used to ascertain blood groups and test for infectious agents such as HIV and Hepatitis. Products made to these specifications are presumed to conform to the Directive's essential safety requirements. Manufacturers are expected to work to these specifications unless they have duly justified reasons for doing otherwise, and can offer a solution that is at least equally safe.