Do Waters columns have a shelf life (expiration date)? - WKB58018

ENVIRONMENT

• Waters column
• XBridge
• ACQUITY
• Shelf life
• expiration

ANSWER

No 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The warranty period is 90 days from the date of receipt if the product fails.

The return policy is 120 days from the date of receipt if the box is unopened and free of writing.

Beyond the stated warrantee periods: 

Waters columns are packaged and shipped in closed containers. To ensure product quality, the columns should ideally be stored at ambient conditions (unless otherwise specified in care and use instructions) with sufficient controls to prevent adulteration and contamination. Under these conditions, Waters columns can have an extended lifetime. However, because of the diversity of applications that can be associated with Waters columns, it is the policy of Waters to consign the task of expiration dating of the columns to the customer.  Therefore, Waters strongly recommends that the expiration of the column(s) be assigned by the customer based on his or her individual application.  Waters does provide a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis with a QC Acceptance date as a point of reference for the product at the customer’s request (many are also available for download at www.waters.com/coa).  It should also be noted that good chemical practice dictates that chemicals (including columns) stored beyond three to five years should be re-evaluated for use or replacement before continued use.  It is advised that the customer establish a protocol for re-evaluation after a predetermined time period set by the customer.