Standardization

Overview of Standardization in Serum

Standardization ensures consistency, compatibility, and quality across serum products — from definitions and documentation to manufacturing procedures and regulatory compliance.

What is standardization?

Standardization is the process of developing, implementing, and maintaining technical standards to ensure consistency, compatibility, and quality across products, services, or processes.

Standardization of terminology, documentation, and manufacturing procedures has been a primary focus of ISIA since its inception. We work with government agencies to promote standardization of animal by-products regulations, the interpretation of those regulations, and enforcement.

An example of this collaboration has been the work ISIA has done with USP, working extensively in the production of a Fetal Bovine Serum standard for use in determining proficiency in the performance of growth promotion assays.

We have achieved considerable success with both standardization and harmonization, but governments of all nations continually legislate, regulate, and derogate — change is constant!

FORMULATION TESTING QUALITY CONTROL STANDARDS
Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) Derived from bovine fetal blood via cardiac puncture Newborn Calf Serum (NCS) From calves less than 20 days old Donor Bovine Serum (DBS) From healthy cattle 12 months or older Adult Bovine Serum (ABS) Slaughtered cattle deemed fit for human consumption
Definitions of Bovine Serum Types
In order to standardize serum definitions on a global basis in line with industry practice and regulatory trends, ISIA has developed very specific and detailed definitions for the entire range of possible bovine blood derived plasma and serum types.
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FBS Origin: USA
Serum Origin Definitions
The ISIA has developed definitions of origin based on international guidelines set by the WTO, OIE, USDA, and the EU. Since the word "origin" has several meanings and can cause confusion, ISIA suggests the use of very precise wording whenever possible.
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CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS Product: FBS Origin: USA Sterility: Pass Endotoxin: <1 EU/mL pH: 7.2 ISIA CERTIFIED
ISIA Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
The much-anticipated ISIA Certificate of Analysis (CoA) guidance document is here. After many years of work and deliberation by our members, we are happy to share our official guidance on the Certificate of Analysis.
View CoA guidance →
Bos taurus Domestic cattle
Scientific Names for Certain Animal Species
As we continue to educate our members and others in the serum industry, a reference document has been created including scientific names for certain animal species used in serum production.
Know your Bos Taurus →
Learn more about ISIA standardization initiatives
Explore serum definitions, origin, quality control, and certificates of analysis.
Explore serum definitions →