IBGRL's connection with the World Health Organization goes back to 1953 when the laboratory was first designated a collaborating centre for "reference and research in blood grouping".

Today, IBGRL’s Terms of Reference from the World Health Organization fall into 5 areas:

1. Blood Group Reference

The red cell serology laboratory at IBGRL undertakes complex investigations for reference centres around the world. In 1999, we expect to receive around 330 referrals from approximately 25 countries world-wide.

2. International Rare Donor Panel

The IBGRL maintains the International Rare Donor Panel which is a database of the availability of blood donors of rare blood types around the world.

3. Anti-D Quantitation

IBGRL is an international referral centre for the quantitation of anti-D produced by manufactures around the world for rhesus prophylaxis. In 1999 we expect to test around 300 preparations of anti-D.

4. Standards for Blood Grouping

Our efforts to expedite the world-wide standardisation of blood-grouping reagents are mostly the work of Dr Marion Scott. Working with the Expert Committee on Biological Standards and the ISBT, freeze-dried international reference preparations of various blood-grouping reagents are now available.

5. Reagents for Developing Countries

In 1994 and 1997, the IBGRL ran 3 courses for delegates from 16 countries who were taught how to prepare and standardise anti-A, anti-B and anti-D reagents from bulk concentrates of monoclonal antibodies.

WHO delegates attending courses at IBGRL