All you Need to Know About Procuring and Handling Reference Standard

1. All you Need to Know About Procuring and Handling Reference Standard Reference standards or chemical reference standards are highly characterized and purified materials ideal for examining the strength, identity, purity, and quality of substances for pharmaceutical, medicinal, and chemical products. Laboratories should acquire these standards from certified or qualified sources since they are used for determining and comparing the purity of the sample. Let us briefly look into the procurement, receipt, handling, storage, and discarding of reference standards. Purchasing Reference Standards Laboratories looking forward to source reference standards can start the procedure by mailing the requirement to an agency. Please note it is best to purchase reference standards of BPCRD, IPRS, EPCRS, and USP from agencies mentioned in their pharmacopeia. You can ask for a proforma invoice containing the reference standard details as per your requirement, and if all goes well, wait for the seller to deliver them to you. Reference Standard Receipt When you receive the required reference standards, chem them for any tampering. Make sure that the label mentions water content/LOD and assay on a dried basis/on an as-is basis or potency. Accept reference standards that arrive in the original packaging of the supplying company. The containers should also have a safety data sheet and an invoice. Don’t forget to ask for a batch validity statement and CRS information leaflet from the internet. For this, you can use the catalog code number on the invoice. Once you are thorough here, follow the steps mentioned below: ●Check the label and note the name of the issuing agency, lot or batch number, substance name, and approximate quantity of reference material received. ●In the reference standard register, enter sr.no, reference standard name receipt date, LOD, assay, and pack size. ●Check your reference standard quantity half-yearly. ●Start acquiring reference standards you think are not enough for later use. ●Make sure to make an entry after withdrawing every reference standard. ●Send the invoice to the accounts department and keep a photocopy with you. Handling Reference Standard

2. After receiving the reference standard, do not hurry to unpack them. Instead, open them in a controlled temperature setting that is free from smoke, fumes, and anything that can contaminate them. Avoid inserting butter paper or a spatula to prevent the standard from getting contaminated. Also, please don’t try to fill the empty space in the original vial, and before using it, allow it to reach room temperature. Once you are done using the vial with the reference standard, store it as prescribed. Storing the Reference Standard Refrigerate the reference standard in small airtight containers at the temperature that is appropriate and anywhere between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Make sure to protect them from getting contaminated and follow the overall recommended storing conditions. Discarding Reference Standard When you need to throw away or discard the reference standard, do not discard them in the open. Instead, empty it in a waste beaker with water and then empty it in a sink under the running tap water. After you empty the standard, vandalize the label on the vial and throw it in the dustbin. After completing the procedure, record it in your register. Conclusion Carefully choosing certified reference materials suppliers is very crucial for them to source quality standards that contribute to the success of the experiment and examination. Please know that employees at laboratories should know how to handle, store, and discard the reference standards to keep them at their best and avoid complications or side effects. Source: https://www.bizbangboom.com/articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-procuring-and- handling-reference-standard