Details of past and upcoming HTA events.

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) is the national independent regulator for organisations that remove, store and use tissue for research, medical treatment, post-mortem examination, teaching and display in public. We also give approval for organ and bone marrow donations from living people. With the interests of the public and those we regulate at the centre of our work, we aim to maintain confidence by ensuring that human tissue is used safely and ethically, with proper consent. 

Our blogs offer new and unique perspectives on key issues relating to our work.

This page contains answers to frequently asked questions about umbilical cord blood banking, including information about what umbilical cord blood is, how it is collected and how it is used and stored.

 

The following information explains some of the key information about cord blood banking, including:

• important quality considerations for cord blood banking; and
• common terminology that you may encounter when considering cord blood banking.

If you are considering privately banking your cord blood there are some important things you need to know. Here are some key questions we strongly recommend you ask the cord blood bank that you are considering contracting with to collect and store your cord blood. 

For anyone considering private cord blood banking, it is important to understand its potential.

The HTA licenses both public and private umbilical cord blood banks in the UK.

This section explains the different types of umbilical cord blood banking.

Since 5 July 2008, the HTA has regulated the collection, testing, processing, storage, distribution, import and export of cord blood. In the UK these are ‘licensable activities’ and can only lawfully take place under an HTA licence.

We have created this guide to help parents to make informed choices about cord blood banking. It has been developed through engagement with cord blood experts and centres on our ‘Three key messages about cord blood banking’.