Customer Information and FAQs

This page contains information on the following:

How do I find out if HSL offer a service?
What sampling media should I use?
How do I order kits?
Analysis Request Form
Payment For Services
How will I know when my sample(s) have been received?
How will I receive my results?
When will I receive my results?
Post Analysis Sample Retention and Disposal
Additional Services
Filter Prices & Cassette Rental

Where do I send my Samples?

In accordance with our operating procedures, sample receipt, registration, retention and disposal, are coordinated by Sample Reception staff based in the dedicated Sample Reception Office. All samples and batches are allocated unique identification numbers. Samples received at the same time will normally be treated as a single batch and be reported on a single report in standard HSL format.

Our address for receipt of all samples for analysis is:

Sample Reception L.2.51, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9JN

Please ensure that you pay the correct postal charges for samples sent to us.

1. How do I find out if HSL offer a service?

Browse our through our Analytical Services brochure to see if we can help - contact one of the named contacts or email registration.sample@hsl.gsi.gov.uk or call 0203 028 3383.

Our Standard Biomedical Assays are listed here.

2. What sampling media should I use?

We recommend that customers use HSL supplied sampling media for many of our assays, alternatively we will advise on the best sampling media. For all our Standard Biomedical Assays, we provide kits with everything you need to take your sample(s) and send to us for analysis, including return postage for UK customers. Other kits supplied by HSL do not normally include return postage. Customers need to ensure that correct postage is paid for when using Royal Mail as unpaid postage costs will be re-charged to the customer.

3. How do I order kits?

Biomedical Assays

To order kits, please email registration.sample@hsl.gsi.gov.uk with the following information:

The number of kits you require;
The tests being performed;
Delivery details - name and full address, including postcode;
Whether you require next day delivery service (NB, a charge will apply - see Additional Services below);

Kits will normally be despatched within 24 hours, orders for next day delivery must be received by 12 noon.

Other sampling media

If we agree to supply sampling media for other services, these may be subject to a lead time, but we aim to despatch these as soon as possible following receipt in writing of your request to go ahead. If you require further information please contact registration.sample@hsl.gsi.gov.uk.

NB: Gravimetric Requests are processed following receipt of our Gravimetric Request Form.

All sample kits and media are dispatched by Royal Mail standard class post. Additional charges will apply if you require next day or delivery to a non-UK destination or a courier is required (see Additional Services below). All sampling equipment supplied is the property of HSL, and equipment not returned within 3 months of supply will incur a charge equivalent to the value of the equipment supplied.

4. Analysis Request Form

Each time you send us samples for analysis you need to complete one of our Analysis Request forms found here - we use this to ensure we have received the correct samples and know where to send the results. It is important that you complete all required Sections of the form to ensure processing can be carried out as smoothly as possible. If the form is received incomplete then this could delay processing of your samples.

5. Payment For Services

You can choose three methods of payment: cheque with order (i.e. send in with samples), credit card in advance or invoice after work is complete. Invoices are normally issued in the month following completion of the work.

NB: Non-UK customers are required to pay in advance of work being carried out. We will wait for payment before proceeding with the analysis.

Each time you send us some work, you will need to complete our How to Pay form, located here, indicating your chosen method of payment.

6. How will I know when my sample(s) have been received?

HSL will email you to let you know, provided you include an email address with your sample(s).

7. How will I receive my results?

We offer customers a choice of either receiving their results by post (hard copy) or by email. We will only send these out once - copies of results already issued will be subject to a standard charge (see Additional Services).

8. When will I receive my results?

You should expect to receive your results within the specified or agreed turnaround times, normally specified as numbers of working days following receipt of samples at HSL.

9. Post Analysis Sample Retention and Disposal

Samples are retained and disposed of in accordance with our operating procedures. Usually for biological material this is one calendar month and for other samples six months.

It may be possible for HSL to return samples post analysis to you, but any requests must be made in writing and a charge may apply (see Additional Services). Please email us with your request.

Human Tissue: In the provision of analysis services utilising human tissue samples, HSL must demonstrate compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004 ("the Act"). To this effect the customer must understand that by placing an order for such service with HSL, they warrant that:

- Appropriate consent (as defined in the Act) has been granted to undertake the requested analyses;

- Post-mortem analyses can only be undertaken, and samples stored by HSL on the instruction and under the authority of a coroner;

- In accordance with Section 44 of the Act, any surplus tissue not consumed during the analyses may be dealt with as waste, and where tissue samples are required to be returned the customer shall inform HSL at the time of placing the order for analysis.

Please note this customer information is subject to change and can be withdrawn without notice at any time.