Human Tissue Authority

Human Tissue Authority The watchdog that ensures organs and tissue are used safely, ethically and with proper consent The HTA is accountable to the Secretary of State for Health.

The HTA licenses and inspects organisations that store and use human tissue for the purposes listed below:

• teaching about or studying the human body
• carrying out post-mortem examinations
• using human tissue to treat patients
• carrying out research on human tissue
• displaying human bodies or tissue in public (e.g. in a museum)

We also give approval for donations of organs and bone marrow from
living people. A living person who wants to donate their organs or
bone marrow has to go through an independent assessment process. This helps to make sure that the interests of donors are looked after. We work under two laws: the Human Tissue Act and the Quality
and Safety Regulations. Our aim is to make sure that these laws
are followed by setting standards that are clear and reasonable,
and in which the public and professionals can have confidence. We also help people to understand these requirements by providing
codes of practice and other advice, guidance and support. The professional members of our Board come from medical and
scientific backgrounds linked to our work, and the lay members bring
a wide range of business, commercial and public sector experience. You can find out more about the members of the Board on our
website. Because the HTA is funded by the Department of Health and
through licence fees, we make aim to provide value for money.

24/02/2026
Our Codes of Practice and standards offer practical guidance for professionals conducting activities under the HTA’s rem...
11/02/2026

Our Codes of Practice and standards offer practical guidance for professionals conducting activities under the HTA’s remit.

Find them here: https://ow.ly/K7HO50SyJ6Z

06/02/2026

Find out more about consent and practical steps to take if you're considering body donation 💡

Body donation requires written, witnessed consent from the individual during their lifetime ✍️Consent cannot be given by...
04/02/2026

Body donation requires written, witnessed consent from the individual during their lifetime ✍️

Consent cannot be given by family or friends after death

If you wish to donate your body to medical education, contact your nearest medical school.

You can find contact details on our website https://www.hta.gov.uk/medical-schools

To donate your body to a medical school, you must contact the medical school directly.You can find the medical school wh...
04/02/2026

To donate your body to a medical school, you must contact the medical school directly.

You can find the medical school which accepts donations from your postcode on our website 👇

Have you thought about what you want to happen to your body after you die? With the average cost of funerals rising to over £4,000, our next guests have deci...

Body donation is arranged directly with a medical school (not via the HTA). HTA licenses and inspects establishments but...
02/02/2026

Body donation is arranged directly with a medical school (not via the HTA).

HTA licenses and inspects establishments but we do not accept donations or process donor forms.

To find the contact details of your nearest medical school see our “find a medical school” tool on our website 🔗 https://www.hta.gov.uk/medical-schools

Address

2 Redman Place
London
E201JQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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