This instrument amends the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 (S.I.2005/50) which operates in the field of blood and blood component safety and quality. It is made in exercise of the powers in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to ensure the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 200 5 operate as intended following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no agreement in place. Withdrawal from the EU without a deal would mean th at the law in this area will no longer work as it is intended to. This is because it contains a number of references that will no longer be appropriate, such as references to obligations that UK is required to comply with as an EU Member State.
As blood is a devolved competence, the legislation is being made on a UK-wide basis with the agreement of each of the Devolved Administrations (DAs) and will ensure continuity of the UK regulatory framework for the safety and quality of blood.
