Terms of business

Quotations are valid for the period stated on them. Work begins when a written acceptance is received and, where advance payment applies, when payment has cleared. Prices are exclusive of Value Added Tax, which is applied on the tax invoice at the prevailing rate.

The customer is responsible for the authenticity and representativeness of samples they draw themselves. Where the laboratory does not perform the sampling, results relate to the sample as received and cannot be extended to the batch it came from.

Items received out of condition, insufficient in quantity or inadequately identified are reported before testing. Samples are retained for fifteen days after report issue, three days for perishable items, and disposed of thereafter unless extended retention is agreed in writing.

Reports relate solely to the items tested. One original report or certificate is issued; additional originals are available on written request. Reports must not be reproduced except in full, and must not be used to imply endorsement by the laboratory or by any accreditation body.

Where a statement of conformity is required, the decision rule is agreed before testing and stated on the report.

Standard turnaround runs from acceptance of the item, not from dispatch, and is indicative rather than guaranteed. Where turnaround is critical it must be agreed in writing in advance.

The laboratory is liable for the correct performance of the work it undertakes. It is not liable for decisions taken on the basis of results, for consequential or indirect loss, or for loss arising from samples that were not representative of what they were said to represent.

Nothing in these terms limits liability where liability cannot lawfully be limited.

Complaints and appeals may be submitted in writing and are handled under our documented procedure by personnel independent of the work concerned. Submitting a complaint does not affect how your work is handled. Disputes over report authenticity must be raised in writing within two weeks of issue.

All customer information, sample details and results are treated as confidential and are not released to third parties without written consent, except where release is required by law or by our accreditation body, in which case the customer is informed unless the law prohibits it.