Regulations last checked for updates: May 02, 2025

Title 42 - Public Health last revised: Apr 15, 2025
§ 121.6 - Organ procurement.

The suitability of organs donated for transplantation shall be determined as follows:

(a) Tests. An OPTN member procuring an organ shall assure that laboratory tests and clinical examinations of potential organ donors are performed to determine any contraindications for donor acceptance, in accordance with policies established by the OPTN.

(b) HIV. (1) Organs from donors with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be transplanted only into individuals who—

(i) Are living with HIV before receiving such organ(s); and

(ii)(A) Are participating in clinical research approved by an institutional review board, as defined in 45 CFR part 46, under the research criteria published by the Secretary under subsection (a) of section 377E of the Public Health Service Act, as amended; or

(B) The Secretary has published, through appropriate procedures, a determination under section 377E(c) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, that participation in such clinical research, as a requirement for transplantation of organs from donors with HIV, is no longer warranted. The Secretary has determined that participation in such clinical research is no longer warranted for the following categories of transplants:

(1) Transplant of a kidney from a donor with HIV; and

(2) Transplant of a liver from a donor with HIV.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the OPTN shall adopt and use standards of quality with respect to organs from donors with HIV to the extent the Secretary determines necessary to allow the conduct of research in accordance with the criteria described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this section.

(3) If the Secretary has determined under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of this section that participation in clinical research is no longer warranted as a requirement for transplantation of organs from donors with HIV, the OPTN shall adopt and use standards of quality with respect to organs from donors with HIV as directed by the Secretary, consistent with 42 U.S.C. 274,and.

(c) Acceptance criteria. Transplant programs shall establish criteria for organ acceptance, and shall provide such criteria to the OPTN and the OPOs with which they are affiliated.

[63 FR 16332, Apr. 2, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 56659, Oct. 20, 1999; 80 FR 26467, May 8, 2015; 89 FR 93497, Nov. 27, 2024]
authority: Sections 215, 371-377, and 377E of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 216,273,274f; sections 1102, 1106, 1138 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302,1306,1320b,and; section 301 of the National Organ Transplant Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 274e); and E.O. 13879, 84 FR 33817
source: 63 FR 16332, Apr. 2, 1998, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 42 CFR 121.6