Quality and documentation

Every lot ships with three documents and one retained sample. The documents are a batch certificate
of analysis, a safety data sheet in GHS format, and a specification sheet that an incoming inspection
group can test against without rewriting it.

What the certificate states

Assay belongs to the lot, not to the page

No catalogue entry implies a minimum assay unless one is written on the entry. The number that
applies is the one on the certificate for the lot you receive. Where a specification has to be met on
paper before shipment, it is agreed in writing and the lot is qualified against those limits rather
than against the catalogue text.

Release and retention

A lot is released only after the analytical work is complete and reviewed against the agreed
specification. A retained sample from every lot is kept for the stability window agreed with the
customer, so a question about a delivery can be answered with material rather than with a record.

Change notification

If a route, a supplier or an analytical method changes in a way that could move the impurity
profile, the change is notified before the next lot ships rather than after. This is the part of a
supply relationship that is easiest to skip and most expensive to skip.

Safety data

The SDS is written to GHS format and travels with the shipment. Where a compound has not yet been
classified for transport, the classification is completed before the lot is packed – not at the
forwarder’s desk.