Questions we get from the bench.
Answers covering ordering, products and quality, research-use compliance, in-use storage, and institutional account setup. If your question isn't listed, contact sales.
Ordering & shipping
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), ACH transfer, and wire for institutional orders. Approved net-30 accounts can submit purchase orders directly through their assigned account manager.
How fast do orders ship?
Most orders placed before 2:00 p.m. ET on a business day ship the same day. Orders placed after that cutoff or on weekends ship the next business day. Standard ground transit is 1–5 business days within the contiguous United States.
Is there a free shipping threshold?
Yes. Orders of $199 or more ship free via standard ground within the contiguous United States. Expedited and overnight options are available at checkout for time-sensitive workflows.
How do I track my order?
You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your label is generated, typically within an hour of fulfillment. The same tracking link is available in your account order history if you registered during checkout.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently we ship only within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii (additional carrier fees may apply). We do not ship to PO boxes, freight forwarders, or international addresses at this time.
Products & quality
What's the difference between bacteriostatic water and sterile water for injection?
Bacteriostatic Water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits microbial growth and supports multi-draw use across a 28-day window after first puncture. Sterile Water for Injection is preservative-free, intended for single-dose use, and is the right choice for compounds incompatible with benzyl alcohol.
What does USP <1231> mean?
USP <1231> is the United States Pharmacopeia general chapter "Water for Pharmaceutical Purposes." It defines source water requirements, monograph water types (Purified Water, Water for Injection, etc.), and microbial and chemical attributes. We align our manufacturing, sampling, and release testing with this chapter.
Who does your third-party testing?
Every lot is sent to an independent ISO/IEC 17025-accredited contract laboratory for sterility, identity, pH, endotoxin, and (where applicable) resistivity testing before release. The lab name, certificate number, and test dates appear on each Certificate of Analysis.
How do I download a Certificate of Analysis?
Visit the Lab Results portal, enter the lot number printed on your vial or bottle (e.g., RW-BAC-30-2026-04-A1), and download the PDF. The CofA includes assay results, manufacturing date, expiration, and the testing lab's release signature.
What are ASTM D1193 grades?
ASTM D1193 defines four reagent water types (Type I, II, III, IV) by resistivity, total organic carbon, sodium, silica, and chloride. Type I is the most stringent (≥18.0 MΩ·cm, <50 ppb TOC by ASTM (we test to <5 ppb on every lot)) and is what we ship as ultrapure. Each catalog page lists the ASTM type and tested values.
What's the difference between ultrapure, HPLC-grade, and LC-MS grade water?
Ultrapure (ASTM Type I) targets resistivity and bulk ionic purity. HPLC-grade adds tighter specifications on UV-absorbing impurities and gradient baseline noise. LC-MS grade is the most restrictive: very low metals, sub-ppb extractables, and screened for ion-suppressing contaminants. Pick the grade that matches your detector and gradient sensitivity.
Compliance & use
Can I use these products in humans or animals?
No. All ResearchWater products are sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use only. They are not approved or labeled for human consumption, veterinary use, clinical care, diagnostic procedures, or therapeutic purposes of any kind.
Is there an age requirement to purchase?
Yes. Purchasers must be at least 21 years of age and a qualified researcher or laboratory professional. By placing an order you affirm both conditions and accept responsibility for compliance with all applicable laws and institutional policies.
Who is responsible for how the product is used?
The buyer is solely responsible for end use, storage, handling, and disposal in accordance with their institution's safety policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. ResearchWater warrants product quality at the time of release; downstream use is the customer's responsibility.
Can these products be used for clinical purposes?
No. None of our products are approved for clinical, therapeutic, or diagnostic use. They are not registered medical products and must not be administered to patients, study subjects, or any living human or animal.
Can I resell these products for human use?
No. Resale or transfer for any purpose involving human consumption, clinical care, or therapeutic intent is strictly prohibited and will void all warranties. Resale must remain within the research-use-only channel.
Storage & stability
What's the shelf life of a sealed vial?
Sealed shelf life is 24 months from manufacturing date for most aqueous SKUs, stored at 15–25 °C and protected from light. The exact expiration is printed on each vial and listed on the lot's Certificate of Analysis.
What is the 28-day in-use rule?
For multi-dose bacteriostatic water, USP guidance is to discard the vial 28 days after first puncture, regardless of remaining volume. Best practice: write the puncture date on the label and follow your institution's beyond-use date policy.
What's the recommended storage temperature?
Most SKUs are stable at 15–25 °C (controlled room temperature) protected from light. Refrigeration is not required and may cause condensation in glass vials. Check each product page for SKU-specific storage instructions.
What should I do with expired stock?
Dispose of expired vials according to your institution's chemical and biological waste policies. Do not use water past its printed expiration in any research workflow where lot integrity matters; the bacteriostatic and chemical specifications are only guaranteed within the labeled shelf life.
Account & bulk
Do you offer institutional accounts?
Yes. Universities, hospitals, biotech companies, and contract research organizations can apply for an institutional account, which includes saved shipping addresses, multi-user purchasing, consolidated invoicing, and a dedicated account manager. Contact sales to apply.
Are net-30 terms available?
Net-30 terms are available to qualified institutional accounts after a credit review. Required documentation typically includes a W-9 substitute, institutional billing contact, and references. Approval generally takes 3–5 business days.
What bulk discounts are available?
Tiered pricing is published on each product page (e.g., 5-pack, 25-pack). For larger volumes — pallet quantities, recurring subscription orders, or contract manufacturing inquiries — request a custom quote through the contact form with the topic "Bulk pricing."