BBMRI-ERIC recommends the implementation of international standards and supports, whenever applicable, the implementation of certification and/or accreditation processes.

Part 1: Isolated RNA (ISO 20166-1:2018) #

This document gives guidelines on the handling, documentation, storage and processing of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens intended for RNA examination during the pre-examination phase before a molecular assay is performed. This document is applicable to molecular in vitro diagnostic examinations including laboratory developed tests performed by medical laboratories and molecular pathology laboratories. It is also intended to be used by laboratory customers, in vitro diagnostics developers and manufacturers, biobanks, institutions and commercial organisations performing biomedical research, and regulatory authorities.

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Part 2: Isolated proteins (ISO 20166-2:2018) #

This document gives guidelines on the handling, documentation, storage and processing of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens intended for the examination of isolated proteins during the pre-examination phase before a molecular assay is performed. This document is applicable to molecular in vitro diagnostic examinations including laboratory developed tests performed by medical laboratories and molecular pathology laboratories. It is also intended to be used by laboratory customers, in vitro diagnostics developers and manufacturers, biobanks, institutions and commercial organisations performing biomedical research, and regulatory authorities. This document is not applicable for protein examination by immunohistochemistry.

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Part 3: Isolated DNA (ISO 20166-3:2018) #

This document gives guidelines on the handling, documentation, storage and processing of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens intended for DNA examination during the pre-examination phase before a molecular assay is performed. This document is applicable to molecular in vitro diagnostic examinations including laboratory developed tests performed by medical laboratories and molecular pathology laboratories. It is also intended to be used by laboratory customers, in vitro diagnostics developers and manufacturers, biobanks, institutions and commercial organisations performing biomedical research, and regulatory authorities.

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Part 4: In situ detection techniques (ISO 20166-4:2021) #

This document specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the collection, handling, documentation, transport, storage and processing during the pre-examination phase of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens intended for qualitative and/or (semi-)quantitative in situ examination of the morphology and of biomolecules, such as metabolites, proteins, DNA and/or RNA, on FFPE tissue sections by using different in situ detection techniques. This document is applicable to in vitro diagnostic examinations using in situ detection techniques. These include laboratory developed tests performed by pathology laboratories (histopathology laboratories) as well as by molecular pathology laboratories and other medical laboratories. It is also intended to be used by laboratory customers, in vitro diagnostics developers and manufacturers, biobanks, as well as institutions and commercial organisations performing biomedical research, and regulatory authorities.

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