Health products policy and standards
Our team provides authoritative guidance and standards on quality, safety and efficacy of health products and supports countries to formulate evidence-based policies and ensure good practice throughout the value chain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Blood Regulators Network (BRN) was established in 2006 and is comprised of leading international regulatory authorities that have responsibility for the regulation of blood, blood products and related in vitro diagnostic devices (IVD).

The Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (ECBS) recognized the need for a global network of regulatory authorities in the blood field and recommended that WHO promote cooperation of experienced regulatory authorities in risk assessment and information-sharing through the establishment of a "peer regulators group".

The BRN provides a forum for the exchange of information and opinion among members on blood-related issues. The Network focuses on scientific assessment of current and emerging threats to the safety and availability of blood and blood products, assessment of the impact of new blood-related technologies, and also explores opportunities for regulatory cooperation and collaboration, where possible.

Member organizations have legal standing and well-established, demonstrated institutional capacity to regulate blood and blood products, and the necessary expertise to address emerging global public health challenges. The WHO acts as Secretariat to the BRN and coordinates network activities under the conditions of the Terms of Reference.

BRN recommendations and considerations are communicated to the ECBS, through WHO. Documents published by the BRN contain the collective views of members and do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of WHO or of the participating regulatory authorities.

Related documents

4 July 2018

Position Statement on Storage Age of Red Blood Cells (RBC)

13 September 2017

Position Paper on Use of Convalescent Plasma, Serum or Immune Globulin Concentrates as an Element in Response to an Emerging Virus

18 September 2014

Potential for Use of Convalescent Plasma in Management of Ebola

18 September 2014

Position Statement on Collection of Blood for Transfusion in the Setting of a Vaccination Campaign Against Yellow Fever

13 August 2014

Position Paper on Collection and Use of Convalescent Plasma or Serum as an Element in Filovirus Outbreak Response

14 March 2014

Position Paper on Collection and Use of Convalescent Plasma or Serum as an Element in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Response

30 September 2012

WHO Standard Organ Transplant Nomenclature (Version 1.0)

4 May 2011

First Advisory Meeting for the SONG project (Standardization of Organ Nomenclature Globally) in collaboration with the ICCBBA, Geneva, 4-5 May 2011 Report

9 July 2009

Position Statement on Use of Pathogen‐Reduced Cryoprecipitate in Settings Where Commercial Clotting Factor Concentrates are Unavailable or Unaffordable

9 July 2009

Position Paper on Collection and Use of Convalescent Plasma or Serum as an Element in Pandemic Influenza Planning

26 March 2009

Position Statement on Reports of Inferior Clinical Outcomes with Transfusion of Older vs. Younger Stored Red Blood Cells

11 October 2007

Donor selection in case of pandemic situations

20 April 2005

Xenotransplantation Advisory Consultation, Geneva, 18-20 April 2005

19 April 2005

Statement From the Xenotransplantation Advisory Consultation, Geneva, 18-20 April 2005

Blood Regulators Network (BRN) members