CONFIDENTIALITY

Northview is a contract testing laboratory.  Testing services are our only business.  We maintain strict confidentiality of all client information.  We will execute your confidentiality agreements or we can provide you with copies of our standard agreement.

Quality Agreements

Some companies require quality agreements with their key vendors.  We will review and execute your quality agreement or we can provide you with a copy of our standard agreement.  Our sales or QA staff can make arrangements to execute quality agreements.

Quotes for Northview’s Testing Services

Custom quotes are required for most sample submissions.  Northview sales staff promptly issues quotes.  To receive a quote for your testing needs, please call sales or complete the online Request for Quotation form.

PREPAYMENT POLICY

For new clients prepayment is required before testing can be initiated.  We also require a payment schedule for certain larger studies.

PAYMENT TERMS

Our terms are net 10 days upon receipt of our invoice.  We accept checks drawn on U.S. banks, wire transfer or Visa and Master Credit Cards.  A 1½% per month surcharge will be assessed on accounts not paid within 30 days.  Past due accounts must be made current before new work will be accepted.

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS

Complete documentation is required to facilitate the shipping process for samples sent to the U.S. from other countries.  Shipping documents should identify the shipment contents as “SAMPLES FOR TESTING ONLY – NOT FOR HUMAN USE.”  Any customs related fees are the responsibility of the client.  All invoices are payable in U.S. Dollars.  To minimize banking fees, we suggest payment by wire transfer to our bank account.

TEST FEES

The fees listed in this schedule are for tests in which routine procedures are used.  Products which require extraordinary handling (e.g. unusual sample preparation, unique laboratory supplies, extra safety measures, disposal of excess hazardous samples, etc.) will incur additional charges.

Revisions to USP, international compendia, ISO and other standards may affect test procedures, and consequently test fees, at any time.  All fees in this schedule are subject to change without notice.

RUSH SERVICE

Rush service may incur a surcharge.  For regular clients, we try to accommodate occasional special requests to expedite turnaround time for routine tests without assessing any additional charge.  However, many rush requests require overtime, weekend or holiday work and result in costly operating inefficiencies and cause significant disruption of our testing schedule.  On these occasions, there will be a minimum of $100 or 50% additional charge.

VOLUME DISCOUNTS

Volume discounts are available for many of the tests listed.  Please call for a quotation on your volume testing requirements.

GLP STUDIES

Some studies that will be submitted to EPA or FDA must be performed according to Good Laboratory Practice regulations.  It is the responsibility of the test sponsor to request GLP treatment prior to the initiation of testing.  GLP treatment includes a custom protocol approved by the sponsor, observation of the performance of the testing procedure by our Quality Assurance Department, Q.A. review of all test data, and a detailed final report.  GLP fees are generally an additional 10 to 20%.  The minimum GLP fee is $200.00 per procedure per sample.  GLP treatment will generally add 3 to 7 work days to standard turnaround times for routine tests.

HAZARDOUS SAMPLES

Special precautions must be taken to safely test hazardous samples. Handling fees will be added to all projects which require work with hazardous or biohazardous agents.  These fees will vary depending on the material, the nature of the hazard, and the project protocol.  There may also be a fee for sample disposal. We reserve the right to return all hazardous samples to the test sponsor. For hazardous sample return, there is a minimum Hazmat processing fee of $35.00. Shipping charges are additional.

Test Procedures

Northview has an extensive library of SOPs for commonly performed tests.  Most Northview SOPs are based on USP procedures, ANSI/AAMI/OSP standards or other recognized references.  Our library includes the most current editions of the USP, BP, EP, and JP.  We welcome client methods.  If test methods are not available, we offer method development and validation services.

METHODS TRANSFER

A method transfer is a study that is performed to verify that a test method developed in one lab can be accurately performed in another lab.  The GMP regulations have been interpreted to require method transfer studies for many non compendial test methods.  Please call for a quote for a method transfer study for your specific test method.

VALIDATION OF TESTING PROCEDURES

USP procedures for products listed in the USP are generally considered to be validated.  Many other test procedures should be validated for the particular products being tested.  It is the client’s responsibility to insure that the validation status of test procedures used on their products is approved by their quality assurance department.  Northview offers test procedure validation services.  Please contact us to discuss validation issues regarding the test procedures used for your products.

RETESTS

Retesting is generally governed by our SOP for handling out-of-specification findings.  Client authorized retesting will be billed accordingly.

REPORTS

All test results are issued on a clear and accurate Report of Analysis.  Northview’s reporting system allows us substantial flexibility in the preparation of reports.  We can generate customized reports to meet special client requirements.  Reports will be sent out via First Class Mail unless otherwise requested by the client. 

Reports are submitted for exclusive use by our clients.  No reference to the work, the results, or to Northview may be made in any form of advertising, news release or other public announcement without written authorization.

Electronic Reports

Lab reports can be sent via email.  The report will be an electronic image of the final signed paper copy of the report.  There is a per report fee.

FAX REPORTS

Laboratory reports will be faxed when requested.  Fax fees include priority report preparation and review of reports by administrative, technical and quality assurance staff.

MINIMUM REPORT FEE

There is a minimum fee for testing a sample and issuing a lab report.

REISSUED REPORTS

There is a minimum charge for a reissued report.

SAMPLE RETENTION AND RETURN

Following completion of testing, Northview will generally discard excess samples in accordance with our sample retention SOP (< 30 days).  When requested, we will return remaining samples to the client.  There is a minimum fee of $10.00 plus shipping expenses for the return of samples.  Fees vary according to quantity and weight of samples, special handling or packaging requirements and whether the sample is hazardous. (See Hazardous Samples section above).  For any single or group of samples submitted concurrently, valued over $100.00, and for which return is required, the client must include a declared value.  If no value is declared, Northview cannot be held liable for any amount in excess of $100.00 for any loss of samples, whether at Northview or lost in transit. 

For GLP studies, all unused sample will be held for approximately one month after completion of testing, then returned (unless you instruct us otherwise).  The test sponsor is responsible for retaining reserve samples in accordance with FDA and EPA GLP regulations.  If the sponsor is unable to meet these requirements, Northview can store small amounts of reserve sample.  sThe minimum sample storage fee is $15.00 per month.  

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