As part of a quality assurance approach aiming at reducing the risk of bacterial contamination of labile blood components (BC), their environment was submitted to a twofold quality control. A yearly control was carried out by the University Hospital Laboratory of Hygiene (UH-LH). Another control was regularly implemented by our Quality Control Laboratory. In accordance with this quality system, we focused our attention on decontamination procedures, control targets and the definition of an acceptable threshold. The analysis of results over 1 year showed that they can be considered as satisfactory when less than 40 CFU/100 cm(2) are found. Quality sheets were developed, aimed at motivating our staff, adapting the decontamination procedures and initiating corrective measures. This quality programme allowed us to develop close collaboration links with the UH-LH and to play a role in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.