Commentaries: Art. 29

The suitability of blood donors must be evaluated by a qualified physician with experience in transfusion medicine or by a person trained in this assessment who is working under the supervision of a qualified physician.
The donors must be provided with comprehensive information about donating blood and the risks of infection with major pathogens must be explained before the blood donation so that they can decide not to donate blood if the blood they donate could represent a risk of infection for third parties.
Otherwise, the information provided in the context of a donation is guided by Annex 5 number 3.
Persons in the following categories are not permitted to donate blood:
1. those who have been diagnosed with HIV;
2. those who are suffering from AIDS or who have symptoms indicative of an AIDS-related illness;
3. those whose behaviour carries the risk of infection with HIV;
4. intimate partners of persons described under letters a–c;
5. those who carry a specific risk of prion infection;
6. those who have received transplant material of animal origin.
Otherwise, donor suitability is evaluated in accordance with Annex 5 number 1.