The HTA licenses a number of activities relating to human tissue. We are also responsible for carrying out inspections to ensure licence conditions are being met. These activities are laid out in the Human Tissue Act and associated Regulations.

Procurement is defined as the processes by which tissues and cells are made available, including the physical act of removing tissue and the donor selection and evaluation. 

The HTA regulates establishments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that conduct licensed activities under the Human Tissue Act 2004 (HT Act). This includes establishments that undertake post-mortem examinations, store bodies and samples for scheduled purposes in the HT Act, and remove samples from the deceased for these purposes.

We can provide an HTA licence for an emergency mortuary in the event of an incident.

There are licensing exemptions in the HT Act 2004 and further specific exemptions in the HT Act 2004 (Ethical Approval, Exceptions from Licensing and Supply of Information about Transplants) Regulations 2006.

These regulations came into force on 1 September 2006.

The exemptions are summarised below according to whether the material is from the living or deceased.

This page provides an overview of how Human Tissue Act regulates the storage, examination and use of human tissue and includes a list of scheduled purposes

 

You should read the relevant guidance document before you start to fill in the application form.

The guidance documents will tell you:

• who should complete the form;
• which sections of the form you need to complete; and
• the documents you need to submit along with your application.

Check if you need a licence. Use our flowcharts to help you decide if your activity requires a licence.

Find out about the people govern the HTA.

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and events from the HTA.