Understanding the Levels of Pipette Calibration will Ensure You Get a Valid Service for Your Laboratory

In order to guarantee the integrity of your research, forensic, diagnostic or clinical analyses, regular servicing and calibration is essential.

The service & calibration level that you will require is determined by the work you perform. Anyone working in a GLP or GMP environment knows the importance of demonstrating that the instrumentation they use is maintained in accordance with strict procedural and performance criteria.

You need to feel confident that your variable volume pipettes are delivering accurate and precise measurements across their full working range.

Make sure you choose a level of service and calibration that provides this.

Have you Asked these Questions about Your Pipette Service?

• Are your pipettes under going a full Preventative Maintenance Service?
• Are they fully taken apart, cleaned inside and out, all worn parts replaced, followed by calibration?
• Are you having the right level of service?
• Are your pipettes adjusted to meet manufacturer specifications?
• If working to GLP – are you aware you should have a minimum of 4 readings taken at 2 points to be able to measure accuracy, precision & linearity?
• If you are having only one volume measured; what volume is selected? Does that give adequate data to verify performance across the full useable range? Does it mean you can really rely on the pipettes performance at all volumes?

2.2 Pipette Calibration	2.4 Pipette Calibration	3.10 (UKAS) Pipette Calibration
The most basic level of pipette calibration you can rely on to demonstrate performance of a variable volume pipette: 2 gravimetric readings at maximum AND minimum volume settings. Suitable for General Laboratory needs. Find out more	Satisfies most GLP/GMP/QC and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Provides full accuracy, precision & linearity checks with 4 gravimetric readings at two volumes. Find out more	Necessary for more stringent QC SOPs up to UKAS level. The calibration certificate includes statements of measurement of uncertainty per volume setting. Statistical data for 10 readings at 3 (mid, max, min) volumes. Find out more

Choose a Calibration Option to Suit Your Needs

Anachem routinely offers 2.2, 2.4 and 3.10 (UKAS) calibration levels but others are available upon request. However, single point calibrations should only be used for fixed volume pipettes. Variable volume pipettes require a minimum of two test points to ensure linearity across their working range.

Don’t spend your budget on invalid calibrations. Make sure your pipette service provider is giving you a calibration level that makes the effort and investment in servicing worthwhile.

Take time to examine your calibration certificates to ensure they meet your requirements. Don’t just file them away; you will need to justify their content to any auditors.

Whatever level of calibration you choose for your pipettes, with Anachem, they all receive a thorough preventative maintenance overhaul with components being cleaned, repaired or replaced.

The quality of our spare parts and repairs allows Anachem to warranty each pipette for 12 months.