AABB Standards

Commonly used name for a publication from AABB formally known as “Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services.” The requirements listed in this dense little book are those under which all AABB-accredited facilities must operate. “Standards” (to use an even shorter name) is currently in its 34th edition (as of April 1, 2024).

If a blood bank or transfusion service is an AABB member, that facility is inspected every two years to ensure they are following the practices outlined in Standards. In general, AABB Standards are at least as stringent as the requirements found in the FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and FDA Guidance documents. In fact, the majority of the Standards are derived from FDA Guidances and where applicable, federal law. Should there be disagreement between something in Standards and an FDA requirement, most blood establishments will adhere to whichever guideline is more strict.

In the U.S. state of California, AABB Standards are actually incorporated into state law, so all blood establishments in that state must follow them regardless of whether they are AABB-accredited.

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