The HCB-IDIBAPS Biobank has been awarded ISO 20387 accreditation, an international standard specifically designed for biobanks that certifies technical competence, impartiality, and the quality of processes involved in the management of biological samples and associated data for research. With this achievement, it becomes the fourth biobank in Spain to receive this accreditation and one of the few in Europe to have a Neurological Tissue Bank within the scope of the accreditation.
ISO 20387 establishes the requirements that biobanks must meet to ensure the quality, traceability, and reliability of samples and associated information. Obtaining the accreditation entails passing a comprehensive and independent assessment covering aspects such as staff training, process safety, quality control systems, confidentiality management, infrastructure, and continuous improvement.
Neurological Tissue Banks represent a unique and highly specialized category among the more than 500 biobanks in Europe. In this context, having a Neurological Tissue Bank accredited under ISO 20387 reinforces the Biobank’s role as a reference infrastructure for providing high-quality samples and associated data for biomedical research.
This recognition strengthens the confidence of the scientific community, healthcare professionals, donors, and funding agencies, while facilitating collaboration with national and international research centres through the adoption of globally recognized and harmonized standards.
The accreditation is the result of a collective effort involving all areas of the HCB-IDIBAPS Biobank. The process involved the coordinated work of the Neurological Tissue Bank, the Tumor and Tissue Bank, the Biological Fluids Bank, and the Data Management, Documentation, and Quality unit. It also benefited from the guidance of the IDIBAPS and Hospital Clínic quality units, the support of the Biobank’s Scientific Directorate, and the commitment of the IDIBAPS leadership and management bodies.
The ISCIII Biobanks and Biomodels Platform congratulates the HCB-IDIBAPS Biobank on this recognition, which highlights its commitment to quality and excellence in the management of biological resources for biomedical research.