With the Central Biobank Erlangen (CeBE) at the University Hospital Erlangen and the ZeBanC, the central biobank of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), two partners of the German Biobank Network (GBN) have been awarded the "Quality Label" by the European biobank network BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium).
The award confirms the successful implementation and further development of quality management systems in accordance with DIN EN ISO 20387 ("Biotechnology – Biobanking – General requirements") and is based on a structured quality assessment. Biobanks with a quality label are labelled accordingly in the BBMRI-ERIC Directory and thus make their quality-assured structures visible internationally.
Prepared by the GBN quality programme
Both biobanks have prepared for the Quality Label as part of the established GBN Quality Programme. This programme includes structured internal audits, advice and support in the implementation and further development of a quality management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 20387.
Strengthening the quality network
With the two awards, the number of GBN biobanks with a Quality Label has grown to a total of seven biobanks in Germany. CeBE, which was founded in 2020, has strategically anchored quality management from the outset and has had its processes successfully evaluated as part of several audits. ZeBanC builds on a quality management system in accordance with DIN ISO 9001 that has been in place since 2017 and has been adapted to the requirements of ISO 20387.
"Receiving the BBMRI Quality Label is a great honour for us as a young biobank," says PD Dr rer. nat. Dr habil. med. Matthias Rübner (CeBE). "It recognises the achievements and high quality of our work in recent years and confirms that we meet the current European quality standards in biobanking. This recognition not only strengthens our position at the Erlangen site, but also increases our visibility in Germany and Europe."
"The Quality Label strengthens our strategic foundation and motivates us to continuously develop our reliable and innovative biobanking services," comments Dr Alexandra Stege (ZeBanC). "We are proud of our team and grateful for the commitment that has made this success possible."
The official award ceremony will take place during Europe Biobank Week 2026.
BBMRI-ERIC news article on the award of the Quality Label to CeBE
BBMRI-ERIC announcement on the award of the ZeBanC
Further information on certification, accreditation and quality labels for biobanks