The first edition of Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories was published in 1999 and became effective on July 15, 1999. The IRL Standards is revised on a 24-month schedule, with new editions becoming effective on September 1 of odd-numbered years. The IRL Standards outlines requirements for these highly specialized laboratories that provide an essential service to patients who have specific serologic complexities and/or need rare blood components. The seventh edition became effective September 1, 2011.