FACT Standards Committee Kicks Off Review of 9th Edition Cord Blood Standards
By Monique Summers, RN, MSN, MPA, Standards Development Manager
The FACT Standards Committee kicked off its review of the ninth edition of its Cord Blood Standards in Madrid, Spain, in conjunction with the 52nd Annual Meeting of the EBMT and the 2026 WMDA Global Meetings.
During this meeting, the Steering Committee discussed the overall updates to the Cord Blood Standards that may be necessary in response to changes in the field or technology. This initial discussion sets the tone for the review of the ninth edition.
Members of the Steering Committee include Standards Committee leadership and the co-chairs of each subcommittee. Subcommittee chairs and members were selected through review of interested candidates, responses to FACT’s Call for Volunteers, and recommendations received in response to the Cord Blood Survey distributed to the FACT community prior to the kick-off meeting. When developing Standards Committee rosters, expertise is sought across all areas of cord blood banking, including collection, processing, and quality management. Many members have served as FACT inspectors, bringing extensive expertise to the committees.
During the meeting, the Steering Committee reinforced the importance of data-driven decision-making. As committee members propose revisions or additions to the Standards, they are asked to carefully consider relevant academic literature and any applicable data supporting the issue under review. Examples of topics under consideration include revising qualifications for the Processing Facility Director, potential new standards for programs that no longer collect cord blood units, and expectations for third-party storage companies.
Following this meeting, subcommittees began their work in early May. The goal is to have a draft ready for public comment in November 2026.
“As FACT’s Senior Medical Officer, I truly appreciate the time and commitment of each member of the Cord Blood Standards Steering and Subcommittees,” said Dr. Joseph Schwartz. “We are fortunate to work with the best experts in the field and value their time and expertise in the development of the Standards. We look forward to working with them to produce the ninth edition Cord Blood Standards.”
