Implementation of Moroccan GBEA requirements in private laboratories: Current status and future perspectives

Abstract Background The Moroccan Good Practice Guide for Laboratory Analyses (GBEA) provides the normative framework ensuring good practices and quality assurance within clinical laboratories. While some laboratories rely solely on the GBEA as their quality assurance framework, others opt for certification or accreditation to strengthen their quality management system. This study aims to explore the status of adherence to the GBEA requirements by private clinical laboratories in the Fez-Meknes region during the second half of 2025. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional quantitative study assessing compliance, consisting of measuring the degree of compliance of the structures investigated with a predefined regulatory framework (GBEA). The data collection period lasted six months, from July to December 2025, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20 software. Results The participating laboratories (n=30) answered all questions. Laboratories with years of experience seem to have the highest rates, unlike laboratories with less than five years, which have the lowest rates, with p <0.001. Six laboratories had the highest rates, ranging from 92% to 100%, while the lowest compliance rates were between 50% and 54.5%. Challenging aspects for laboratories are quality control, documentation, procedures for recording equipment reagents and consumables, as well as procedures for accessing and using the premises. Conclusions Although the GBEA is a legislative and regulatory framework covering good practice and quality assurance in Moroccan laboratories, it is intended to be reinforced by an explanatory guide on standardized procedures and processes, staff training and monitoring through scheduled audits, to help laboratories establish a culture of quality and continuous improvement.