The Biological Stain Commission's Quality Control Laboratory operations and improved traceability of certified stains

Abstract

The Biological Stain Commission (BSC) is a quality control laboratory that certifies biological dyes for staining cells and tissues. Originally, a single lot of a certified dye was sold to histologists. Today, companies frequently change their lot numbers as part of regulatory efforts. When a certified dye undergoes a lot number change, the BSC must re-certify this dye to verify that it is identical to the one certified earlier. The BSC has improved how these lot changes are monitored using a redesigned BSC certification label. Certification labels always have been issued by the BSC and are attached to every bottle of “BSC certified dye” that is sold. The new BSC certification label has added security features and currently bears both the BSC certification number and the manufacturer batch lot number. The result is improved security and traceability of certified dyes.

Key words::

• Biological Stain Commission
• certified dye
• certified stains
• certification label
• certification number
• quality control laboratory
• traceability

Acknowledgments

I thank Drs. David G. Hicks and John A. Kiernan for their help in preparing this paper for publication. Sigma-Aldrich kindly provided the bottle of certified stain for illustration.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.