Commission Directive 2004/33/EC of 22 March 2004 implementing Directive 2002/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain technical requirements for blood and blood components (Text with EEA relevance)
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| Component | Temperature of storage | Maximum storage time |
|---|---|---|
| Red cell preparations and whole blood (if used for transfusion as whole blood) | + 2 to + 6 °C | 28 to 49 days according to the processes used for collection, processing and storage |
| Platelet preparations | + 20 to + 24 °C | 5 days; may be stored for 7 days in conjunction with detection or reduction of bacterial contamination |
| Granulocytes | + 20 to + 24 °C | 24 hours |
| Component | Storage conditions and duration |
|---|---|
| Red blood cells | Up to 30 years according to processes used for collection, processing and storage |
| Platelets | Up to 24 months according to processes used for collection, processing and storage |
| Plasma and cryoprecipitate | Up to 36 months according to processes used for collection, processing and storage |
| Cryopreserved red blood cells and platelets must be formulated in a suitable medium after thawing. The allowable storage period after thawing to depend on the method used. | |
Transport and distribution of blood and blood components at all stages of the transfusion chain must be under conditions that maintain the integrity of the product.
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