Custom Reference Materials

The image shows a woman in a laboratory setting closely examining a test tube containing a clear liquid.

We understand that accurate results depend on accurate reference standards. For over 40 years, our reference material business has been dedicated to delivering the highest quality analytical reference materials, custom reagents, and test kit components. We offer a diverse range of readily available reference materials in powder or solution form. Our expertise extends to creating and packaging customized reference materials tailored to your specific requirements. Whether for pharmaceutical analysis, forensic drug testing, clinical toxicology, diagnostic monitoring, cannabis testing, environmental analysis, or food and beverage testing, we cater to your diverse needs with accuracy and reliability.

While well-characterized reference materials are readily available, they often fall short of meeting the precise needs of discerning customers. Also, with the steadily increasing demands of regulations and accreditations, it is not possible to compromise with reference material that does not fit your process. Custom reference materials address this gap, offering personalized solutions meticulously crafted to meet the unique requirements of each customer.

Why Choose Our Custom Reference Standards?

Versatile options: Single or multi-component mixes
Comprehensive selection: Includes primary, working, gravimetric, and CRM standards, from native to stable-isotope labeled
Tailored solutions: Covers common analytes or client-specific compounds of any size
Superior packaging: Flame-sealed ampoules with argon
Flexible quantities: Bulk preparations for OEM or other users up to 20mL per ampoule
Customizable labeling: GHS style or client-specified formats
Wide applicability: Matrix-based, from biological, environmental, to food samples

Organic Custom Standards

Tailored reference materials designed specifically for precise and reliable organic compound analysis across petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental, food & beverage, and pesticide analysis.

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Inorganic Custom Standards

Custom reference standards for inorganic compound analysis in applications such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (ICP-OES/ICP-MS).

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Cerilliant Custom Reference Standards

We also offer a wide range of customized Cerilliant^® Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) and Certified Spiking Solutions^® for various laboratory applications, including clinical diagnostics, clinical toxicology, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the Cerilliant^® custom reference materials are available for many regulated materials including U.S. DEA controlled substances (CI-CV), U.S. DEA List 1 Chemicals, U.S. ATFE regulated explosives, and U.S. EPA regulated PCBs, dioxins, and furans.

For customized Cerilliant^® standard solutions, please request a quote at CSSorders@sial.com for your choice of customized standard solution from Cerilliant.

Synthesis Capabilities

We operate cutting-edge synthesis laboratories focused on producing high-purity reference materials. Our team of seasoned chemists is skilled in various organic synthesis techniques, handling multi-step syntheses ranging from milligrams to kilos. With in-house synthesis, we maintain full quality control from start to finish, ensuring a constant supply of top-notch materials to meet customer needs.

Our custom synthesis expertise includes:

Cannabinoids
Carbohydrate chemistry including glucuronides
Chiral synthesis and separations
Controlled substances, US Sch I-V
Dioxins/furans
Distillations
Heterocyclic chemistry
Highly reactive/energetic substances
Hydrogenations
Impurity enrichment & isolation
Metabolites/impurities/degradants, including pharmaceutical API impurities
Opiates
Peptide/amino acid synthesis
Pesticides and Persistent organic pollutants
Phytochemical extractions
Stable isotopes including deuterium, ¹³C, ¹⁵N
Steroids
Thiols
Toxic/potent compounds

Analytical Services

Our state-of-the-art analytical laboratories offer customs services, including:

Characterization and certification of client materials
Material stability studies, from accelerated to real-time testing
Method development and validation
Impurity studies and structure elucidation
Method transfer
Test article characterization

Our expertise spans a wide range of compounds, from pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse to diagnostic biomarkers, food allergen proteins, and environmental contaminants. Our laboratories are equipped with fully qualified and validated analytical instruments.

We ensure rigorous quality control, with multiple levels of review and thorough Quality Assurance audits before project release. Each project includes a Certificate of Analysis or Composition, with options for customized reports to meet specific customer requirements.

Our analytical technique services include:

UHPLC with UV/ELSD/RI detection
HPLC with UV/ELSD/RI detection
Chiral HPLC/UV
LC/MS
LC-MS/MS
QTOF
GC/FID
GC/ECD
GC/MS
GC/MS/MS Headspace
GC/FID Headspace
ICP-MS
ICP-OES
Ion chromatography
FT-IR
UV-Vis spectrometer
Karl Fischer
Amino acid analysis
Peptide mapping and purity
Auto titrator
Melting point
Sulfated Ash or ROI
Loss on drying
Elemental analysis – C, H, N, O, S
2D NMR (NOSY, COSY, HSQC, HMBC)
NMR (1H, 13C, 15N, 19F, 31P)
qNMR
TGA
Heavy metals analysis
Optical rotation
Osmolality
DdPCR

Customized Packaging

Our tailored packaging solutions are designed to streamline day-to-day handling and ensure the safe management of flammable, toxic, or potent materials. We provide single-use packaging that guards against contamination of bulk materials and over time preserves the stability and integrity of reference standards.

Our customized packaging expertise offers the following:

Handling and packaging of all material types, including those requiring environmental controls.
Various packaging options available, such as flame-sealed ampoules, vials, and bottles.
Continuous chilling for filling temperature-sensitive materials, such as proteins.
Residual seal-force testing capability to meet customer specifications for crimp-sealed vials.
Silanization of packaging containers.
Custom labeling options, including private labeling.
Custom secondary packaging solutions.

Inventory Management and Distribution

We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions for Inventory Management and Distribution, specifically designed to fulfill the unique needs of pharmaceutical producers and other industries. Let's explore how our expertise can enhance your inventory management and distribution processes:

Leveraging established systems and procedures, including a customized web portal, to efficiently handle client materials sourced internally and externally.
Capabilities extending across a wide range of materials, including controlled substances CI-V and List 1 chemicals.
Six DEA and single ATFE registrations offering cost-effective outsourcing options for shipping activities involving controlled substances.
State-of-the-art facilities featuring mapped storage areas dedicated to inventory and distribution management, covering temperatures from ambient to ultra-low freezer.
Continuous monitoring and secondary power support in storage areas to ensure material integrity and uphold quality and safety standards.
Flexible distribution solutions, including pre-aliquoting for same-day distribution or shipping on a requested basis.
Expertise in monitoring and managing material retests to ensure the availability of materials and current certification data when needed.
Dedicated team of DOT and IATA certified distribution experts facilitating global shipping to predetermined or requested locations, either scheduled or upon request.