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The World Health Organization (WHO), in line with its mandate to set global standards, has for over 25 years collaborated with stakeholders to issue evidence-based normative contraceptive guidelines so as to reduce unnecessary medical barriers to contraception. The Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (MEC) present WHO recommendations on the safety of various contraceptive methods in the context of specific health conditions and physical characteristics. The Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (SPR) provide guidance on how to use contraceptive methods safely and effectively once the client is deemed eligible. These guidelines are used by policymakers and programme managers across the six WHO regions to develop their national policies, guidelines and tools.