The Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) has released the draft 8th edition of the NetCord-FACT International Standards for Cord Blood Collection, Banking, & Release for Administration for public comment. Comments can be made until 15th September 2023.

More information can be found on their website – “These comprehensive Standards promote quality medical and laboratory practices throughout all phases of cord blood collection, processing, and banking to consistently achieve quality placental and umbilical cord blood units for administration and to improve patient outcomes. These Standards are applicable to both unrelated donor units and family units and cover 1) collection of cord blood cells, regardless of the methodology or site of collection; 2) screening, testing, and eligibility determination of the maternal and infant donor according to Applicable Law; 3) all phases of processing, cryopreservation, and storage; 4) testing and characterization of the cord blood unit; 5) making the cord blood unit available for administration, either directly or through listing with a search registry; 6) the search process for selection of specific cord blood units; 7) reservation and release of cord blood units for clinical use; 8) transport or shipment of fresh or cryopreserved cord blood units; and 9) clinical follow up.”