Sample Handling And Environmental Policy

(201) 331-9300

Published by our sponsorsSee case studies

Mineral sunscreen whitening study, NCT05565625 ↗

Skin hydration and health study ↗

18-week hyperpigmentation study, NCT07136766 ↗

12-week eye cream study, NCT05807620 ↗

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GMP/FDA Compliant Personal Care Testing

The chain of custody with regard to sample handling is a key component of clinical research. All samples at VCS are logged in a secure climate controlled room with limited keypad access control.

Samples are documented, labeled, blinded (if requested), and logged in the Sample Handling room prior to distribution to respective lab departments.

The sample handling department has its own temperature and humidity control that follows Pharmacopeial standard practices for non-hazardous sample storage and retention.

Sample Reception Address And Submissions For Clinical Research

ATTN: Sample Reception

Validated Claim Support
400 Frank W. Burr Blvd.
Suite 105
Teaneck, NJ 07666

*USPS packages will not arrive at this address

Supplying Products For Product Testing

Client shall be solely responsible for all liability relating to or arising out of the sourcing, manufacturing, labeling, packaging, shipping, and supplying of products (the “Products”) for which VCS will perform certain claim validation services pursuant to separate agreements, purchase orders, or any other documents (the “Services”).

Claim Substantiation Representations And Warranties For Product Safety

Client represents and warrants that: (i) it has all corporate, limited liability, or other entity authority and power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; (ii) entering into and performing under this Agreement will not violate or conflict with any agreement to which Client is a party, or any judicial or arbitral order or judgment applicable to Client; (iii) it will strictly comply with all applicable state, federal, local, and foreign laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and ordinances, including, but not limited to, those promulgated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (“FPLA”), the United States Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (“FDCA”), and those which regulate any raw material, components, or ingredients as an actual or potential danger to health, reproduction, or the environment, and those which regulate packaging, labeling, or contents of products (collectively, “Applicable Laws”); and (iv) it has and shall maintain in effect all licenses, permits, authorizations, and consents necessary to conduct its business.

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Additional Product Safety Testing Warranties

Client further represents and warrants that it has conducted and shall conduct all relevant and required safety testing, including, but not limited to, HRIPT, patch testing, toxicology testing, preservative efficacy testing, challenge testing, container and storage compatibility testing, and stability testing, to ensure that all Products are non-hazardous, bio-compatible, and non-irritating (“Product Safety Testing”). Upon VCS’ request, the client shall provide certificates evidencing the performance and successful completion of Product Safety Testing.

Indemnification for Personal Care Testing

Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless VCS, its affiliates, and their respective equity holders, directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively each an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of actions, judgments, costs, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses, whether actual or alleged, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees, court fees, interest, and penalties (collectively “Claims”), asserted against or incurred by an Indemnified Party relating to or arising out of the Products, including, but not limited to, any and all Claims relating to or arising out of (i) an alleged failure to adequately warn or label the Products with regard to exposure to substances contained in the Products; (ii) any claimed injury (including Claims arising from any challenged injury), illness, or death of any person or property damage which is caused or alleged to have been caused by the handling, application, consumption, or use of the Products (each an “Injury”), including, without limitation, any Injury arising during, or otherwise in connection with, the Services; (iii) any violation of Applicable Laws by Client, its employees, or agents, or (iv) any breach of the terms of this Agreement by Client, its employees or agents.

Sample Storage of Consumer Products for Testing

All controlled sample handling and retention areas are designed around International Pharmacopeial standards for temperature and humidity.

Access is restricted with keypads and combinations are updated regularly to ensure security in isolation

Sample Retention for Lab Testing Cosmetics

Upon completion of a study, the minimum required amount of sample is retained by VCS for a period not to exceed 2 years (depending on the nature of the product). Samples returned by panelists are stored separately and earmarked for disposal.

If requested, samples can be returned to the sponsor OR they can be marked for standard VCS Disposal.

Ethically and Environmentally Conscious Sample Disposal

VCS utilizes a third-party professional non-hazardous waste disposal service, and samples are clearly marked and labeled for destruction while stored onsite. Receipts/non itemized manifest of Disposal/Destruction can be made available on request upon completion, and VCS is committed to ensuring that samples are disposed of in an environmentally friendly fashion.

VCS currently uses Radiac Research Corp. as our official sample disposal partner. View certificate

The Validated Claim Support Testing Difference

Green and Environmentally friendly product manufacturing processes often over look clinical testing and safety testing, and at VCS we strive to go above and beyond traditional expectations within our niche.

At Validated we have implemented a number of policies that ensure we consider the well-being of the environment. We are committed to the following principles:

We have minimized the use of paper data collection in many areas of our lab including Informed Consenting and Raw Data Collection.
We reuse and recycle all relevant materials wherever possible
We employ management systems and procedures specifically designed to minimize the use of hazardous materials, energy, and other natural resources and to minimize the generation of waste
We have installed LED, low voltage high-efficiency lighting throughout the lab site
Third-party environmentally friendly Sample Disposal utilized (Radiac Research)
We encourage our suppliers to adopt relevant environmental policy
We’ll continuously seek opportunities to improve our environmental performance by establishing targets and objectives, measuring progress, & reporting our results; including but not limited to paper, water, energy, and fuel consumption
Our QMS and study documentation system is all digital, so physical printing is reduced by thousands of pages per week in comparison to competitors
All waste is collected daily from the site via building management
We communicate our commitment to responsible environmental management to staff members and contractors, and we will implement the necessary training and support to help them achieve these practices
We can implement secondary controls and procedures at sponsor’s discretion

Expert Clinical Grading

Trained graders score visible change

Supports claims like “Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”

Learn more →

Biomarkers and Microbiome

Tape strips, swabs and collections

Supports claims like “Microbiome friendly” and “Won’t disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome”

Learn more →

Biophysical Instrumentation

Hydration, TEWL, elasticity, color

Supports claims like “Hydrates by up to 87% in as little as one use”

Learn more →

Peer-Reviewed Writing

Clinical and scientific publications

Scientifically validated study summaries for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals

Learn more →

Before and After Photography

Controlled, reproducible clinical imaging

Supports claims like “Up to a 44% reduction in redness in as little as 2 weeks”

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Consumer Perception

Panelist questionnaires and self-assessment

Supports claims such as “97% of women agreed their skin felt smoother and more supple”

Learn more →

About Validated Claim Support

Validated Claim Support’s experienced clinical testing team has pooled their vast claim support knowledge in the skincare trials and cosmetic product efficacy space to develop a unique and highly personalized strategy. We provide a distinctive service category that is particularly hard to find: highly personalized efficient service and accountability at an affordable price.

Meet the Clinical ExpertsThe scientists and graders behind every studyLearn more →Quality Management in Claim SubstantiationHow we keep study data audit-readyLearn more →Data Protection and PrivacyHow we protect sponsor and panelist dataLearn more →Testing Laboratory PartnersPartner labs for tests outside our scopeLearn more →Clinical Testing Laboratory TourInside our Teaneck, NJ facilityLearn more →

Sample Handling and Environmental PolicyHow we receive, store and track samplesYou are here

Commitment to Diversity in the WorkplaceHow we build a diverse team and panelLearn more →Ethics & Code of ConductThe standards our team works byLearn more →

Where to next

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Start a Conversation About Your Product Study

Tell us about your product, your intended claims, and your timeline. Our business development team will review your needs and follow up with a customized proposal, typically within one business day. There is no cost for the initial consultation or study design review.

Get a quote Call (201) 331-9300

FAQ

Sample Handling and Environmental Policy: frequently asked questions

Where do I ship samples for a study?

Ship samples to: ATTN: Sample Reception, Validated Claim Support, 400 Frank W. Burr Blvd., Suite 105, Teaneck, NJ 07666. USPS packages will not arrive at this address, so use another carrier.

How are samples stored at VCS?

All samples are logged in a secure, climate-controlled room with limited keypad access, and are documented, labeled, blinded if requested, and logged before distribution to lab departments. Storage areas follow international Pharmacopeial standards for temperature and humidity, and keypad combinations are updated regularly.

How long does VCS keep samples after a study?

After a study, Validated Claim Support retains the minimum required amount of sample for up to 2 years, depending on the product. Samples returned by panelists are stored separately and earmarked for disposal. On request, samples can be returned to the sponsor or marked for standard VCS disposal.

How are samples disposed of?

Validated Claim Support uses a third-party professional non-hazardous waste disposal service, currently Radiac Research Corp., and samples are clearly labeled for destruction while stored onsite. Disposal receipts or a non-itemized manifest can be provided on request.

What safety testing must the sponsor complete before supplying products?

Sponsors represent and warrant that they have conducted all relevant and required safety testing, including but not limited to HRIPT, patch testing, toxicology, preservative efficacy and challenge testing, and they are solely responsible for the sourcing, manufacturing, labeling, packaging, shipping and supply of the products.

What environmental practices does VCS follow?

Validated Claim Support's quality and study documentation system is fully digital, including informed consent and raw data collection, which cuts thousands of printed pages each week. VCS reuses and recycles wherever possible, uses LED high-efficiency lighting, minimizes hazardous materials and waste, and encourages suppliers to adopt environmental policies.