At the donor end, the tissue establishment responsible for the procurement of tissues and cells may track the tissues and cells distributed for human application by requesting the next operators in the chain to provide data related to the use of the tissues and cells based on the donation identification elements of the Single European Code as contained in the accompanying documentation.

‘traceability’ means the ability to locate and identify the tissue/cell during any step from procurement, through processing, testing and storage, to distribution to the recipient or disposal, which also implies the ability to identify the donor and the tissue establishment or the manufacturing facility receiving, processing or storing the tissue/cells, and the ability to identify the recipient(s) at the medical facility/facilities applying the tissue/cells to the recipient(s); traceability also covers the ability to locate and identify all relevant data relating to products and materials coming into contact with those tissues/cells;

(g)‘traceability’ means the ability to locate and identify the tissue/cell during any step from procurement, through processing, testing and storage, to distribution to the recipient or disposal, which also implies the ability to identify the donor and the tissue establishment or the manufacturing facility receiving, processing or storing the tissue/cells, and the ability to identify the recipient(s) at the medical facility/facilities applying the tissue/cells to the recipient(s); traceability also covers the ability to locate and identify all relevant data relating to products and materials coming into contact with those tissues/cells.

They include cardiovascular tissue (arteries, veins, and heart valves), ocular tissue (cornea), bone and musculo-skeletal elements (cartilage, tendons), nerve and brain cells, skin, foetal tissue, reproductive cells (semen, sperm, and ova) and stem cells.

(21) With due regard to the principle of transparency, all tissue establishments accredited, designated, authorised or licensed under the provisions of this Directive, including those manufacturing products from human tissues and cells, whether subject or not to other Community legislation, should have access to relevant tissues and cells procured in accordance with the provisions of this Directive, without prejudice to the provisions in force in Member States on the use of tissues and cells.

5. Member States shall ensure that tissue establishments have agreements and procedures in place to ensure that, in the event of termination of activities for whatever reason, stored tissues and cells shall be transferred to other tissue establishment or establishments accredited, designated, authorised or licensed in accordance with Article 6, without prejudice to Member States' legislation concerning the disposal of donated tissues or cells, according to the consent pertaining to them.