The Integrated Biobank Jena (IBBJ) is the third biobank of the German Biobank Alliance (GBA) to achieve accreditation in accordance with the DIN EN ISO 20387 standard, which was created specifically for biobanks. This proves that the biobank guarantees a high level of quality control and assurance and thus fulfils the requirements of excellent research. The extensive scope of the accreditation is particularly noteworthy: IBBJ had several biological materials - including plasma, serum, buffy coat, PBMCs and DNA - as well as various test methods accredited. In addition, the IBBJ was awarded the "Quality Label" of the European biobank network BBMRI-ERIC. This label is also based on DIN EN ISO 20387 and is visible in the European BBMRI-ERIC directory. The award ceremony took place during this year's Europe Biobank Week in Bologna.
Commitment and expertise as the key to success
PD Dr. Dr. Michael Kiehntopf, Head of IBBJ and member of the Board of the German Biobank Node (GBN), emphasises: "With this accreditation, we are demonstrating our long-standing philosophy in biobanking: standardisation and the highest quality, traceability, transparency and reliability in the handling of human biosamples and associated data. We are delighted that we have also been awarded the Quality Label, which shows that the IBBJ is a strong partner for translational research both nationally and internationally."
The cooperation of the IBBJ team under the leadership of Dr Christine Hess, IBBJ Biobank Manager, and the technical expertise and support of Dr Juliane Kaufmann, Quality Manager at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics (IKCL), was a key factor in the successful accreditation. The entire team supported the preparations with great commitment and expertise: "Accreditation was an intensive but very rewarding process. As a team, we critically scrutinised, developed and optimised our processes," sums up Christine Hess.
Accreditation, quality label and GBN support
DIN EN ISO 20387 defines specific requirements for biobanks that collect, process, store and provide biosamples. It has been available in Germany since 2020. The accreditation was carried out by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) and comprehensively supported by the GBN quality programme. GBN offerings such as the "Friendly Audits" played a central role in the preparation of the IBBJ. In addition to formal accreditation, the BBMRI-ERIC quality label is proof of the high quality and visibility of the biobank at European level.
Dr Cornelia Specht, Managing Director of GBN, congratulates: "We are very pleased about the accreditation of the IBBJ and the award of the Quality Label. Both successes impressively demonstrate how continuous quality management and targeted support through our quality programme work together."