Consideration should be given to the use of data and tissues obtained in the course of a study for future research, in line with the consent provided by participants. Where consent has not been obtained for future retention, only anonymised data can be retained. The application to the REC (and CAG, where relevant) should have set out the commitments for future use.

You should identify whether samples or data can be contributed to an existing biobank or data-sharing repository.

Alternatively tissue should be disposed of in accordance with the ethical approval (and Human Tissue Authority guidance, where relevant).