ISBT 128

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Working Party on Automation and 
Data Processing (WPADP) supported the adoption of ABC Codabar in the early 1980s. 
Recognizing that ABC Codabar had reached the end of its useful life, and the need 
for and benefits of establishing a truly international system for bar codes on blood 
products, beginning in 1989 the Working Party developed a new system named ISBT 128, 
using the bar code symbology known as Code 128.. 

The new system was accepted, and beginning in July 1997 blood products produced by 
countries that adopt this new system may carry ISBT 128 labels. Actual dates for 
implementation and the length of the transition from ABC Codabar to ISBT 128 will 
be determined by each country adopting the standard. 

In November 1994, ICCBBA, Inc was given the responsibility for the management and 
distribution of the Application Specification and its associated database tables. 

Those wishing to implement ISBT 128 must register with ICCBBA, Inc and pay the annual license fee.

Details are available at
http://iccbba.org/