Progress in the field of organ transplantation has much contributed to saving lives. Main areas of concern are scarcity of donor organs, quality and safety. Increased demand for organs from deceased donors in European countries has instigated cross-border cooperation. The Council of Europe organises yearly a European day for Organ Donation and Transplantation since 1996. Quality and safety standards in organ transplantation are set by the Council of Europe and the European Union (EU). This includes trafficking in human organs. The "Guide to the Quality and Safety of Organs for Transplantation" is the "handbook" for all those involved in transplantation of organs. The European Action Plan (EU, 2009-2015), addressing availability of organs, efficiency and accessibility of transplant systems, improved quality and safety, has provided support to Member States' policies. Persistent problems include the position of relatives, discrepancies in donation rates, inequalities in access, non-European citizens seeking transplantation within the EU. © 2018, William S. Hein & Co., Inc.. All rights reserved.

EU action plan Organ transplantation Inequalities in access Scarcity Organ exchange organisations Declaration of death National competences European legal framework Consent systems Quality and safety standards Trafficking

deceased donor death organization European Union relative Europe Article organ donor transplantation human adult human tissue