Eighth Edition - R.3 - Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

HFEA guidance (cont)
13.1 HFEA Directions do not allow payment of a ‘flat rate’ to all donors (for example, £20 to all sperm donors).
13.2 Donors may be reimbursed all reasonable expenses incurred in the UK in connection with donating
gametes or embryos (for example a standard-class rail ticket by the most direct route), but not excessive
expenses if these would be benefits in themselves.
13.3 Expenses claimed by donors should be directly linked to the process of donation (for example, the cost
of travel to the centre, or the cost of childcare during donation when the donor would normally be caring
for the child). They should not be expenses which the donor would have incurred irrespective of
their donation.
13.4 Donors may be compensated for loss of earnings (wherever they live) up to a daily maximum of £61.28
but with an overall limit of £250 for each course or cycle of donation.
13.5 When gametes have been donated overseas and import to the UK is being considered, centres should
ensure that the donor has not received compensation for loss of earnings that exceeds the amounts
specified above (local currency equivalent).
13.6 Advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should
not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to reimbursement or
compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.
13.7 The person responsible has a duty to assure themselves that no payments or benefits have been given or
promised to the donor by another agency or intermediary, including introductory agencies, except those
that are in line with relevant HFEA Directions.
13.8 The centre should ensure that donors understand that donating gametes and embryos is voluntary and
unpaid and that they may be reimbursed only for expenses and compensated for loss of earnings.
13.9 If an egg donor becomes ill as a direct result of donating, the centre may also reimburse their reasonable
expenses arising from the illness.
See also guidance note:
12 – Egg sharing arrangements
Recording payments for donors
13.10 The HFEA expects centres to keep a central log of all expenses and reimbursement for loss of
earnings paid to donors. This log should be made available to HFEA inspectors, and should contain
the following information:
(a)
date of payment
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
amount of payment
donor (name or unique identifier)
reason for payment (nature of expense or loss of earnings)
total amount paid to the donor to date for this course (of sperm donation) or cycle (of egg
donation), and
receipts that show expenses incurred, or evidence that demonstrates the loss of earnings.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Guidance note | 13. Payment for donors
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