ISO 20387 General requirements for Biobanking

Quicklinks

What is ISO 20387?

ISO 20387 was developed to promote confidence in biobanks. The Standard covers requirements that allow biobanks to demonstrate their competence in being able to provide biological material and associated data that meets the needs of research and development organisations.

The Standard also includes requirements regarding the preparation and long-term preservation of samples and long-term sample traceability. The requirements additionally address considerations for biobank-specific collection and transportation procedures and, as with other ISO Standards, ISO 20387 covers both the management system and technical aspects of operation providing a multi-faceted framework for organisational health

The importance of ISO 20387 accreditation

NATA’s accreditation program for biobanks is a new service launched in 2021.

Accreditation with NATA to ISO 20387 will provide independent recognition to biobanks that is highly regarded around the world.

The accreditation process will cover collection (or acquisition), preservation, quality control, storage and distribution of biological material. It will also include a review of the management system underpinning these processes

 

ISO 20387 accreditation benefits

Accreditation to ISO 20387 will increase confidence in a biobank’s output and will assure customers that crucial requirements are consistently being met. It will also promote greater cooperation and harmonisation between biobanks to ensure reliable biological material and data is available for use in research and other applications.

Whether a biobank is serving an internal need at a specific organisation or providing resources to outside parties, accreditation ensures an expectation of quality in both banked materials and biobanking practices.

Securing ISO 20387 accreditation

Accreditation of a biobank to ISO 20387 involves an independent, unbiased assessment of the biobanking facility to determine competence, impartiality, and consistent operation.

A NATA assessment team including specialist assessors with relevant experience in biobanking will conduct an assessment of the biobank, its management system, processes, facilities, personnel, and other essential elements of its operation to determine if it meets the requirements listed in the Standard.

Based on information provided by the NATA team, a separate decision-making process under the accreditation body will determine whether to grant accreditation.

Once an organisation achieves accreditation, they are periodically re-evaluated to ensure they are maintaining the necessary competencies and continue to meet the relevant requirements.

Help me find the accreditation I need

Contact one of our accreditation experts to help you choose the right accreditation for your business.

Speak to an accreditation expert

FAQs

ISO 20837 was developed with a wide range of biobanking functions in mind covering the banking of biological materials including:

  • Human samples
  • Animal samples
  • Fungal samples
  • Plant samples
  • Microorganisms

The standard also includes requirements regarding the preparation and long-term preservation of samples and long-term sample traceability.

Importantly, the requirements address considerations for biobank-specific collection and transportation procedures and, as with other ISO standards NATA uses for accreditation purposes, ISO 20387 covers both the management system and technical aspects of operation.

The NATA Accreditation Criteria (NAC) packages are made up of numerous documents which are available for download.

There are General Accreditation Criteria which apply to all facilities, and Specific Accreditation Criteria tailored for industry sectors and activities.

  1. General NATA Documents
  2. General Accreditation Criteria
  3. Specific Accreditation Criteria

General Accreditation Guidance and Specific Accreditation Guidance documents present information on common technical or operational issues.

  1. General Accreditation Guidance
  2. Specific Accreditation Guidance
  3. General Accreditation Forms

Bio Banking NATA Accreditation Criteria (NAC) Package

Download all

Become a member

Benefits of being a NATA accredited organisation

NATA accredits organisations to perform testing and inspection activities for their products and services. This gives consumers the assurance they need to make safe, healthy and reliable choices. When you choose to become NATA accredited, you can be sure of a number of competitive advantages for your business.
Assurance
NATA members receive a globally-recognised, peer-reviewed and government endorsed accreditation that provides a unique level of assurance to members, their clients and the community.
Competence
Our accreditation provides an independent benchmark for technical competence. Receiving NATA accreditation demonstrates to customers your organisation’s commitment to quality, safety and reliability of products and services.
Recognition
NATA accreditation is both nationally and internationally recognised. This provides a competitive advantage when compared to non-accredited organisations and ensures you are market-ready to capitalise on trade opportunities.
Training
NATA has been training individuals and teams both nationally and internationally for over 20 years and enjoys a global reputation for the quality of its courses and programs. Our active role in international accreditation education has seen us conduct training in over 20 countries.
International
NATA’s long standing and active involvement with international groups enables our members to gain international recognition for their accreditation and minimises the need for multiple assessments from different suppliers.
Innovation
NATA provides innovative and timely business solutions that meet the needs of our members and fulfil the expectations of the community. We have the experience and resources to ensure your accreditation provides you and your organisation with unique advantages.