‘Washington State University Food Environmental Quality Laboratory of 2 Effective: 02/10/11 Retires: 306.02 ASSIGNING EXPIRATION DATES IN THE LABORATORY “The purity of reagents, specimens, and the composition of solutions prepared from reagents are of concern in an analytical laboratory. One of the major sources of “out- fiers” ie. results which are outside the limits of random error, is contaminated or deteriorated reagents. In order to prevent the use of deteriorated chemicals, FEQL will provide expiration dates on solvent, reagent and secondary containment bottles. Although providing expiration detes will not prevent contamination problems, it will alert the analyst to possible reagent problems at the time the material is used or when a suspicious result has been obtained. The assignment of expiration dates will be as follows: Reference substance will be given an expiration date as specified on the container label or by Certificate of Analysis. If no expiration date is specified for IR-4 and other GLP studies, the study director will be contacted. For non-GLP studies reference substance will be given an expiration date of 3 years from the date of purchase unless specified by manufacturer. The expiration date of stock solution of reference substance for GLP and non-GLP studies cannot surpass the expiration date of the reference substance. For stock solutions and their dilutions the expiration date should not exceed one year. Reference substances and their stock solutions will be stored in the freezer unless specified otherwise. Their dilutions will be stored in the freezer or refrigerator, depending on their stability. Most purchased chemicals will be given a 5 year expiration date unless information exists otherwise (i.e. manufacturer's expiration date). The exception will be salts such as sodium sulfate, sodium chloride and magnesium sulfate which will be given a 10 year expiration, Solutions prepared from purchased reagents will be given a six-month expiration date afier preparation, unless information exists to indicate otherwise. (Note: Any visual signs of instability, e.g, precipitate, color change, turbidity, indicates the need to prepare a new solution). Solutions of acids and bases where the accuracy of the final concentration is not critical, 1 year expiration will be assigned. . Ethyl ether will be given a six-month expiration date after opening or a one-year expiration date after receipt, whichever comes first. Barnstead Water will be given an expiration date of six months after draw off from the purification system.Washington State University SOP Number: 306.03 Food Environmental Quality Laboratory Page: 2 of 2 Effective: 02/10/11 Retires: 306.02 7. pH Buffers will be given two year expiration date for commercially prepared solutions, six months for laboratory preparations. 8. Adsorbents (i.¢., charcoals, alumina, Florisil*) will be given a 10 year expiration date "Modified" adsorbents (ie., Florisil or alumina that has been "activated" (water removed) or “deactivated” (water added) will be given a one year expiration date, 9. To minimize chances for eross-contamination, solutions in secondary containers and in squirt bottles will be given a maximum expiration date of 3 months. For mixed solvents, especially those contained in squirt bottles, the expiration date should expire sooner since the composition changes with evaporation, 10, For those solutions where contamination issues are minimal and frequent refilling of the container is not an issue a six month expiration date is suggested. Notes: An expiration date printed on a container by a manufacturer will overrule any others outlined in this SOP. Do not confuse the preperation or bottling date some manufactures place on bottles with an expiration date. 2. The expiration date of solvents and chemicals will be assigned on the basis of when ‘the material was received. 3. Even solutions that are known to be stable will be provided with an expiration date, beyond which they should not be used. The reason is that solutions/ reagents are generally used frequently and the possibility of evaporation of solvent or contamination increases over time, 4, An expired chemical, solvent, reagent or solution may be recertified for use after the expiration date if analytical procedures are available to certify the integrity of the material. If recertification takes place the material then enters an expiration cycle identical to the original governing the sample type. Modified By: 2eeeterZ— _ Date:_ 02/07 / Elizabeth Culbert, Labgratory Research Di Approved By: Dr. Vincent Hebert, Site Manager Date: 62/09 Ly