How long can samples, collected in Sweden, be stored abroad within the frameworks of a research project?

How long samples may be stored abroad is not defined in the Swedish Biobank Act, as the need for how long a sample needs to be stored abroad differs for different research projects.  According to the Swedish Biobank Act, the biobank custodian at the principal responsible for samples must establish an agreement with the recipient, which regulates what applies to the samples that are sent. Please note that samples may only be sent for research projects that have an approved application for ethical review from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority or permit according to the applicable EU regulation for clinical trials and performance studies.