Resources for human tissue governance
Core documents and standard operating procedures
MSD Human Tissue Policy
The MSD Human Tissue Policy outlines the Medical Sciences Division (MSD)'s approach to the governance and management of research with samples of human origin and provides the guiding principles and responsibilities to ensure the Division complies with its obligations under the Human Tissue Act (2004).
It applies to all individuals who are involved in collecting, receiving, using, storing or disposing of (hereafter referred to as "handling") samples of human origin for research across the MSD.
Guidance Document
Please use the guidance document below to determine whether human tissue samples require storage under a HTA Licence at the University of Oxford.
Core documents for people working under HTA Licence 12217
If you are working under the University’s HTA licence 12217 you must follow HTA Licence 12217 core documents (including core SOPs). The core documents and templates are hosted on iPassport, a quality management system.
To get access to iPassport, contact the Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team.
Please note that the web address for iPassport has changed. Log in credentials (username and password) and data stored in iPassport remain unchanged. Please contact your local iPassport administrator or hta_help@admin.ox.ac.uk if you have any problems accessing iPassport.
The University must provide assurance that SOPs are in place for all research groups operating across the University’s HTA licence. SOPs are fundamental to ensuring that licensed activities are undertaken consistently, in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Please note
Text highlighted in yellow within documents is advisory and should be deleted when documents are finalised. The author and copyright notice should be retained.
Guidance document
Please use the guidance document below to determine whether human tissue samples require storage under a HTA Licence at the University of Oxford.
University core SOPs
If you are working on a clinical trial sponsored by the University you must also follow the University's core SOPs.
External resources
- Human Tissue Act
- Human Tissue Authority Code of Practice and Standards
- Human Tissue Authority Research Standards and Guidance
- Human Tissue Authority – Relevant material under the Human Tissue Act 2004
- UKCRC Tissue Directory and Coordination Centre
- Health Research Authority – Use of human tissue in research
