AABB Strengthens Technology and Privacy Requirements in New Standards for Relationship Testing Laboratories

The 17th edition of AABB’s Standards for Relationship Testing Laboratories (RT Standards) includes several updates aimed at strengthening technology oversight and protecting sensitive information.

AABB’s Relationship Testing Standards Committee highlighted the following additions:

• New Standard 1.4.2, which ensures that accredited organizations have plans in place to identify threats associated with sample integrity and the infrastructure of technology and communication systems.

• New Standard 3.7, which ensures that facilities monitor their critical technology infrastructure and that it functions as expected, including defined checks.
• New Standard 5.2.1.2.1, which ensures that laboratories using publicly accessible databases do so under the agreement of the terms of service in effect at that time. This provides coverage to the user concerning privacy requirements that must be followed.
• New Standard 5.2.5.2, which ensures that reports created for genetic genealogy cases that use profiles obtained from the publicly available space where identity is not verified are identified as such.

A summary of significant changes to the edition is available in the Standards Library on the AABB website.

The 17th edition takes effect Jan. 1 and is available in an electronic format, print format or as a bundle of both versions. AABB also offers a bundle of 17th edition in print and the Guidance for Standards for Relationship Testing Laboratories.

Organizations interested in adopting the standards can participate in a complimentary two-week trial of the electronic version of the 17th edition in the Standards Portal.

Individuals with questions regarding the standards should contact standards@aabb.org.