The Sterile Barrier Association (SBA) is the European trade association for companies who produce Sterile Barrier Systems (SBS) and associated equipment and accessories for the healthcare industry. SBS materials and equipment are sophisticated and allow single use and reusable medical devices to be sterilised after manufacture or after use. Sterilisation may take place at a medical device manufacturer or in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) of a hospital. In both cases the critical function of the SBS is to maintain product sterility up to the point of use.