Anemia occurs frequently in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in the later stages, and the main etiologies are decreased production of erythropoietin (EPO) as well as iron and vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is essential to detect anemia in patients with CKD and to investigate the etiology. If anemia (Hb < 100 g/l) persists after substitution of deficiencies, treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) should be considered. New guidelines (KDIGO - August 2012) have just been published by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) for the management of anemia in patients with renal failure. This article reviews the principles and innovations in management in 2013.