Laboratory Consumables Guide

Laboratory Consumables Guide

Core quality indicators:
It is roughly divided into material standards, process standards and compliance certification. For example, cell experiment consumables need to pass the ISO 10993 cytotoxicity test, with endotoxin ≤0.1EU/mL. PTFE and borosilicate glass should be selected for strong acid/alkali environments, and PS materials are prohibited in organic solvent environments. Pipette tips need to pass laser detection to ensure that the inner diameter error is ≤±0.05mm, the matching error of pipettes is ≤1%, etc. In the external field, CE IVDR and FDA 510 (k) certifications need to be obtained. The fundamental essence of consumables is equivalent to absolute consistency, and differences among any individuals are allowed. They must have no visible defects or flaws to the naked eye and must fully and accurately comply with all the indicators stipulated in the product specifications, such as size, transparency, coloration, strength, weight and volume.

Reputable manufacturers and suppliers
Give priority to suppliers that explicitly claim to have a complete quality control procedure, which should cover standardized norms and control for product dimensional accuracy, durability, purity indicators and aseptic state. Manufacturers with relevant certifications, such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, CE or FDA, are required to indicate compliance with the quality management system. During the inquiry process, you can inquire about the manufacturer's quality control procedures, including raw material testing, process inspection and batch release testing. It is very important to choose a manufacturer with a good track record of producing high-quality and reliable laboratory consumables, which can effectively ensure the high quality of laboratory consumables. Producers should choose 100,000-level clean workshops. In the production process of laboratory consumables, tiny particles in the air may become sources of pollution. Therefore, it is advisable to choose laboratory consumables produced in a cleanroom environment - their production and packaging should be completed in an independent area equipped with high-efficiency air microparticle filters (HEPA), and the operators need to wear protective clothing during the operation.


Acceptance of consumable products
A procedure can be established to inspect whether the purchased consumables are damaged, whether the specifications are correct, and whether there is consistency between batches. When receiving the goods, please inspect them in accordance with the supply contract and the agreed quality terms, check whether the packaging is damaged, whether the seal is intact, and whether the label information (such as the manufacturer's name, specification model, batch number, production date, shelf life, storage conditions, etc.) is clear and complete. Verify whether the consumables meet the functional requirements of the experiment, such as compatibility, accuracy, durability, etc. By filling consumables with high concentrations or specific reagents (such as strong acids, strong bases, organic solvents), sealing them and allowing them to stand at a specified temperature for a period of time (such as 24 hours). Observe whether the consumables show deformation, dissolution, discoloration or material precipitation (the leachate can be detected by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry).