Brussels, 26/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 26 September, the European Commission decided to take Poland to the European Court of Justice for failure to respect European rules on the quality and safety of human cells and tissue. These are used in human medicine to treat a wide range of diseases and infections. They involve, for example, bone marrow, tendons, ovocytes and corneas. The 2004/23/EC European directive and its application directives aim to guarantee the quality and safety of human cells and tissues throughout the transplant process, given the significant risks of transmitting disease involved in this kind of operation. Poland has still failed to fully transpose these directives into national law, despite a reasoned opinion (second stage of the infringement procedure) being sent to the country by the Commission on 25 January 2013. (IL/transl.fl)