Biobank Antwerpen achieves the BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label

Biobank Antwerpen is the first Belgian biobank awarded the BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label. The biobank is a cooperation between the Antwerp University and the Antwerp University Hospital and was founded in 2018 upon publication of the Belgian Royal Decree on biobanks. The biobank houses a dedicated lab which receives, processes, registers, stores and distributes liquid samples (e.g. serum, plasma and urine) and solid tissues (e.g. tumor biopsies). 

In 2022, the Belgian biobanks teamed up and obtained funding via the B3ISO project aimed at bringing the Belgian biobanks to this quality level. The Biobank Antwerpen team responded by means of a gap analysis using internal audits, resulting in corresponding action points. These actions were registered in a specifically designed module in the BIMS for easy management and follow-up. During management meetings, the evolution of the actions was presented to the biobank team. The entire QMS was updated to reflect ISO 20387 requirements and to sync with their work practices. An ongoing second round of internal audits is aimed at further refinement and verification of correct implementation.  

The transition to an ISO 20387-compliant QMS was only possible through dedicated organisation and follow-up by the quality management team, a significant effort from the entire team, backed by continuous steering by the biobank director. The BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label was seen as a first and important quality check for the system. The team expressed gratitude for the peer-to-peer audit, which revealed that although the ISO 20387 requirements were incorporated, as literally cited in the audit report, “the focus has been set on maximally covering all aspects of the norm and as a result, relevant information for one process can be found (complementary or duplicated) in multiple documents, potentially introducing conflicting procedures and instructions and thus difficulties to maintain an unambiguous system.” The responding process of making the QMS leaner is currently ongoing. 

Whether the BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label will remain an intermediate step towards ISO 20387 accreditation or has become the final stop remains to be seen, as the team is currently evaluating the potential cost-benefit ratio in view of the relatively high cost associated with accreditation. Independent of this, the team is proud to have achieved the BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label, which reflects the biobank’s mindset regarding qualitative samples and data. “Teamwork makes the dream work!” 

Andrea Wutte, Head of Quality Management at BBMRI-ERIC, highlights:    

“Biobank Antwerpen’s achievement demonstrates that quality is not a destination but a continuous commitment. We are delighted to welcome Biobank Antwerpen to the growing number of BBMRI-ERIC Quality Labelled biobanks, recognising their commitment to quality and excellence.”