The goal of the Requirements for the Collection, processing and quality control of blood, blood components and plasma derivatives is to ensure the safety of blood and blood products, to assure suitable quality of plasma for fractionation, and to provide the principles on which formulation of local requirements by regulatory authorities can be based. The requirements were last revised in 1992 (5) and the Expert Committee concluded that a complete revision would be needed.

Guidance on good manufacturing practice is also needed and should be integrated into the requirements. The Expert Committee welcomed a proposal to begin revision and requested the Secretariat to consult with appropriate bodies, such as national regulatory authorities and the Global Collaboration on Blood Safety, and to report back to the next meeting.