WHO Collaborating Centres for Biological Standardization

The WHO Collaborating Centers for Biological Standards provide scientific advice and conduct investigational activities needed to support the WHO's biological standardization programme. These activities include the preparation of candidate biological reference materials through coordination of international collaborative studies and the preparation of scientific reports on their suitability for submission to the Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (ECBS) who formally establish them as WHO Biological Reference Materials.

Some of the Collaborating Centers also serve as custodians of WHO biological reference materials and they are responsible for their distribution around the world to qualified applicants. In addition, the scientists from the WHO Collaborating Centers frequently provide their expert advice by participating in discussions and providing input into the drafting of new and revised written standards.

WHO Collaborating Centres for Biological Standardization

The other laboratories who contribute to biological standards work are: