For over 30 years, we have formulated top-quality, certified reference materials and offered a vast inventory of stock products as well as made-to-order options. Our ISO 17034 and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation serve as recognition that our standards meet the world-class quality that analysts need. Come with us on this journey to learn best practices and tips to get the most out of your Restek reference standards.
1. Storing Unopened Ampuls
Proper storage of your reference standards is essential to maintaining the optimal stability of the analytes in solution. Upon receiving your reference standard, be sure to read through the safety and storage recommendations on the labeling or material certificate and place the standard at the correct storage conditions in your laboratory.
2. Ordering Your Standards
Restek makes ordering your certified reference standards easy with a simplified ordering process. We offer an extensive panel of stock materials and custom standard options to serve your unique testing requirements. Use our Reference Standards Finder to search, select, and request custom standards at any time.
Custom Standards Order Checklist: What analytes and concentrations do you need? What volume makes the most sense for your standard? To take advantage of volume purchases, how many ampuls will be consumed over the shelf life of the standard? Does your analysis require two independently produced lots? What level of documentation is necessary for your analysis?
3. Preparing Your Reference Standard for Use
A critical step to ensuring the quality and reliability of your reference material is making sure that all analytes are in solution. Before use, standards that are not stored at room temperature should be given adequate time to reach room temperature. Alternatively, or to further ensure all analytes are in solution, an ampul may be sonicated for 10–15 minutes or gently rolled in gloved hands—just make sure the standard is given time after these steps to fully equilibrate back to room temperature. When you are ready to open your standard, invert it several times to ensure no analytes remain in the headspace of the ampul.
4. Accessing Documentation
Restek provides detailed documentation, including certificates of analysis and safety data sheets, that can be accessed at any time on our website. Utilize the ease of access to these documents to make sure you are meeting all your laboratory’s requirements.
5. Storage After Opening
After the ampul has been opened, carefully transfer the contents into an appropriate vial using a pipette. A deactivated screw-top vial comes with each stock reference standard order for worry-free transfer. After use, store the vial at the recommended storage conditions to ensure stability of the analytes in your standard.
6. Safely Opening the Ampul
Accidental cuts and chemical exposure are a risk when opening ampuls. The Restek Safe Cracker offers a simple solution for safely opening the ampuls and comes free with all U.S. purchases (and by request for purchases outside the U.S.). Simply slide the safe cracker over the ampul tip, and, while holding the ampul in one hand, pull the tip towards you with the other hand until the ampul gently breaks open.
7. Continue Your Reference Standards Journey
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