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Countries lacking a national blood policy should give high priority to making one, with a timetable for its implementation and a set of quality indicators in accordance with European Union directives and Council of Europe and WHO recommendations.

Blood safety contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 4–6 and 8. Nevertheless, more than 30 years after adoption of the first World Health Assembly resolution on blood and blood products (WHA28.72), important disparities remain in the quality and efficiency of blood services and thus the availability and safety of blood supplies.

The development of blood transfusion services varies in pace in the WHO European Region. It is unavoidably related to the general economic and social level of each country.

Countries that have appropriate legislation for blood transfusion practice mostly organize systems on a national basis, which enables a coherent strategy and development of common standards, shared working procedures and cost-effective use of resources.

International bodies, professional societies and universities need to intervene to overcome limitations in blood transfusion services, ultimately securing ure a safe blood supply.