In July 2026, the Council of Europe adopted a recommendation aimed at establishing harmonised measures for the protection of gamete donors. ESHRE collaborated with the European committee responsible for organs, tissues and cells in developing the recommendation.

The goal is to move towards common protection principles in a field where assisted reproduction and egg or sperm donation can be regulated differently across countries.

Why does it matter?

The recommendation places donor safety and wellbeing within a more coordinated European framework. For assisted-reproduction professionals, these principles may help harmonise procedures and protection standards.

A step towards European coordination

The recommendation does not automatically replace national rules, but it provides a common framework for developing donor-protection policies and practices. ESHRE has also issued a position on international limits to the number of offspring born from a single donor.

Source: ESHRE / Council of Europe, 24 July 2026.