The Italian National Blood Centre was established on April 26th 2007, by a Decree of Ministry of Health. It started its activity on August 1st 2007. It's a National Centre of the Ministry of Health which acts at the National Institute of Health. It addresses, promotes, coordinates and controls from a scientific and technical point of view all matters relative to transfusion activities regulated by the Italian Law 219 of 2005 and EU regulations. It promotes educational programmes and scientific research in transfusion medicine. It follows governance principles, respecting Regional autonomies.