How much shelf life is left on unopened bac water?
The useful buying figure is the time remaining until the printed expiration date on the lot that will ship. A general shelf-life claim is not the same as a promise that your order will arrive with that entire period remaining.
Size the order around the receiving date
Suppose a lab receives a 100-vial case and normally issues ten sealed vials per month. That is roughly ten months of stock, before allowing for delivery delays or a change in demand. If the shipping lot does not meet the lab’s minimum remaining shelf-life requirement, a smaller pack or a later replenishment may fit better. This is an inventory example, not a product shelf-life claim.
Is the unopened date the same as the limit after opening?
They refer to different conditions. Do not use an unopened shelf-life statement as an after-opening instruction or extend a printed expiration date. Check the label for the particular product.
Before you order
- Ask for the current lot, its printed expiration and the expected dispatch date before placing a larger order.
- For a mixed-lot order, request the quantity and expiry for each lot, not just the latest date in the shipment.
- At receipt, compare the labels with the confirmation. Follow the product label and your lab’s procedures for storage and handling.