If you have not worked with Butterworth Laboratories previously, or you are new to outsourcing analysis, the following information may be of assistance.
- How do I find out how much the work will cost?
We do not publish a price list, but rather provide individually tailored quotations for each request. To obtain a quotation please complete the Quotation Request Form or contact the Business Development Manager John Welch (john.welch@butterworth-labs.co.uk). We always try to make our quotations as open and comprehensive as possible. Where additional handling charges are required for H&S reasons, or surcharges are made for the supply of CRM's or raw data, these will be clearly stated within the main body of the quotation.
For customers who wish to submit samples on a routine basis for specified range of parameters etc. we can provide a contract price to cover a 6 or 12 month period. In these cases we aim to offer a discount on our standard prices.
- What information do I need to provide?
To ensure that your request is responded to in a timely manner, the information supplied should be as detailed as possible. Please provide at least the following where possible:
- Name and address of company
- Contact name and details
- Type of sample to be analysed
- Number of samples to be submitted
- Frequency - if samples to be routinely submitted
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- Full analytical requirements
- Methods to be employed
- Specification/ limits of detection to be met
- Analysis completion date/ turn-round required
- Quality system requirements (UKAS/GMP/GLP)
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It is important to note that although we are accredited to ISO 17025 and all analyses are carried out to the same standard, not all tests appear on our schedule of accreditation. If you require accredited work, please state this as early as possible.
If you require a GLP compliant study, please state whether the work to be conducted by us is a full study or a delegated phase of a multi-site study.
- How should I send samples to Butterworth?
We routinely receive samples by post and courier firms. When deciding the most appropriate means of delivery, consideration should be given to the nature of the samples being submitted, the reliability of the means of transport and how urgently the analysis is required.
It is important that the relevant Material Safety Data Sheet is enclosed with all samples submitted. This not only ensures that our staff know exactly how to handle the sample on receipt, but also, in the case of damage occurring during the shipment process, that the staff of the postal or courier company know how to respond.
It is also a good idea to give us prior notification that sample submissions are being sent for routine testing.
- How soon will my results be available?
Our standard turn-round time quoted on the majority of our quotations is 10 working days for routine sample submissions. One exception is for Elemental Microanalysis (CHNS) where the routine time is 3 working days. Shorter turn-round times may be negotiated at the quotation request stage.
For the day of sample receipt to be considered as a "working day", samples must be received before 10.00am, on that day. In this respect, advance notice of sample submission is useful.
As soon as the results are available and have been typed into a report format, we can fax or email prior to putting the report in the post.
In exceptional circumstances the analyst can relay the results prior to the production of the report, but it should be noted that these have not been checked for accuracy and the Company reserves the right to make alterations to these in the final report.
- What happens to the raw data?
Analytical raw data may either be retained in our archives for up to six years or supplied with your Certificate of Analysis. Please note that we can only provide "hard" certified copies of electronic raw data.
All other data such as instrument records, controlled documentation and original electronic data is retained in our archive for a minimum of 30 years.
To ensure confidentiality, all archived records are securely disposed of at the end of their retention time.
- What is Butterworth's approach to sample retention?
Where there are remains of a sample following testing, it is retained for a minimum of one month following the issue of the report. If requested, this period can be extended or have the samples returned to you, but this must be agreed in writing at the sample quotation stage, and will incur a surcharge.
- How do I make payment for the analysis?
It is Company policy that when analytical work is requested for the first time, all new clients are required to settle their account in advance in pounds sterling. For subsequent work, a purchase order requesting an invoice on completion of the analysis may be accepted.
To set up an account with us please complete the New Accounts Form or contact the Accounts Manager, Albert Kitson (albert.kitson@butterworth-labs.co.uk).
We can also accept payment in euros provided they are made by BACS transfer and that the quote for the work has been requested in euros.
