R11: Institutions should commit adequate resources and staff dedicated to acquisition, processing and proper distribution of both data and specimens and assisting the pathologist in all tasks that do not require a qualification in pathology. The basic requirements are (1) daily and technical management, (2) data and specimen collection management and (3) expertise in biobanking ethics and law, and (4) networking biobanks. Biobank staff, depending on the size of the pathology department should include at least a tissue bank manager and a technician in addition to the pathologist. The institution should commit adequate resources for pathologists to be involved, in addition to their clinical task, in tissue-banking activities.

R12: Technical and pathology expertise should be provided by the pathology department; the added scientific value should be recognized.

R13: Institutional commitment and appropriateness of the level of resources dedicated to tissue banks should be considered as critical elements in the process of tissue bank accreditation, which could be part of a general hospital or pathology accreditation.

R14: The institution should be responsible for setting and publicizing the rules of access to tissue banks.

R15: The rights of the patients should be taken into account in the procedures and rules for access and use of the tissue bank.

R16: In granting access to tissue-banked specimens, a general principle of “minimal sample amount of tissue necessary for the project” is recommended.

R17: Each procurement of banked tissue for research should be formalized through a Material Transfer Agreement (the scope and content of this MTA is a matter for further elaboration at the European level).

R18: Funding agencies should be aware of the requirements of tissue banking before granting funds for a research project. Projects using banked specimens should specifically (1) provide assurance of the participation and support of the tissue banks; (2) consider the costs of specimen procurement and processing in relation with their specific research application.

R19: A European framework for the professionalization of tissue banking should be developed, e.g., through a teaching program at master level.