Cleaning/Standards

Sampling Containers Cleaning Standards, Procedures and Certifications

QEC has more than 600 containers, accessories and supplies designed specifically for the environmental laboratory industry. QEC's standard glass and plastic sampling containers are available pre-cleaned to meet or exceed EPA standards, or assembled and ready for your cleaning procedures.

QEC glass and plastic containers are available with or without certificates of analysis:

QEC Level 3 Certified (Pre-cleaned w/ Certificate of Analysis)

QEC Level 3 red capThese containers have been specially prepared in accordance with QEC’s specifications for inspection, evaluation and applicable cleaning procedures. An independent laboratory analyzes Level 3 containers and a Certificate of Analysis is issued, certifying that the products meet or exceed the requirements of the US EPA’s “Specifications and Guidance for Contaminant-Free Sample Containers”. The Certificate has a specific production lot number and is included in every case. A bar code label is attached to each container, identifying the production lot number and the container’s unique ID number. These numbers can be used to trace back to laboratory data. Each case is labeled with the production lot number, custody-sealed and shipped with labels and custody seals.

 

QEC Level 2 (Pre-cleaned to EPA standards)

QEC Level 2 yellow capThese containers are processed using the same procedures as QEC Level 3 Certified products. Bar code labels and Certificates of Analysis are not provided. A Certificate of Quality Environmental Compliance (C-QEC) is issued, stating that the containers have been pre-cleaned to meet or exceed EPA requirements. The C-QEC has a production lot number and is included in every case. Each case is labeled with the production lot number, custody-sealed and shipped with labels and custody seals. Bulk-packaged containers are shipped with labels and custody seals at the customer's request only.

 

QEC Level 1 (Assembled and QA checked)

QEC Level 1 white capThese containers have met QEC’s strict specifications and are assembled and shipped without labels or custody seals.

 

 

QEC Level 5 and Level 6 (bulk-packaged)

Level 5 is bulk-packaged Level 1 products, assembled and QA checked. Level 6 is bulk-packaged Level 2 products, pre-cleaned to EPA standards
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QEC Level 2 and Level 3 glass and plastic containers are prepared using one of these methods required by US EPA:

Wash/Prep Procedure EPA-A:

This procedure is designated by EPA regulations for clear and amber glass of 60 mL size and larger. The Level 3 containers are certified to meet or exceed EPA standards for metals, pesticides, and semi-volatiles.

Wash/Prep Procedure EPA-B:

Designated for 40 mL borosilicate glass vials and a select few larger bottles. Level 3 containers are certified to meet or exceed EPA standards for volatiles.

Wash/Prep Procedure EPA-C:

This procedure is designated for HDPE sampling containers. Level 3 containers are certified to meet or exceed EPA standards for metals, cyanide and fluoride.