Chemical_Reagent_Standard_and_Consumable_Expiration_Dates_Policy_FINAL_04_21_2022

Chemical, Reagent, Standard and Consumables Expiration Date Policy
(NC WW/GW Laboratory Certification Branch 04/21/2022)

When commercially prepared chemicals, reagents, standards and consumables have expiration
dates listed as a month and year (with no specific day of the month), the last day of the month will
be considered the actual date of expiration. If no expiration date is given by the manufacturer, the
laboratory must use their policy for assigning one. If the laboratory is unable to determine an
expiration date for a chemical, reagent or standard a one-year time period from the date of receipt
shall be the expiration date unless degradation is observed prior to this date. If neither a date
received nor an expiration date can be determined, the item must not be used.

If the method does not specify an expiration date, chemicals, reagents and standards prepared
in the laboratory for use with that method must be assigned an expiration date according to the
laboratory’s policy for doing so.

Monitor materials for changes in appearance or consistency. Any changes may indicate potential
contamination or degradation, and therefore, the item must not be used, even if the
manufacturer’s or laboratory’s expiration date has not been exceeded. Laboratory-assigned
expiration dates may be re-evaluated based on performance and recovery data and new
expiration dates assigned at that time. Manufacturer-assigned expiration dates may not be
extended.