Importing Reference Materials into the EU: Customs, Documentation and Carriers
What laboratories should generally understand about customs, documentation and carriers when reference materials cross into or within the EU.
20 October 2025 · 5 min
Regulation & compliance
Regulatory context for laboratories in the Netherlands and the wider EU: research-use-only status, record keeping, institutional policy and import rules.
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. It is a question for your own institution and its legal advisers.
This topic explains the framework that laboratories work within: research-use-only terms, Dutch and EU rules, import considerations and internal procurement policy.
It is general information only. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace guidance from a competent authority.
What this topic covers
- What research use only means, and what it excludes
- How Dutch and EU rules frame laboratory chemical supply
- Practical considerations when importing reference materials into the EU
- How to write an internal procurement policy for research materials
Guides in this topic
Institutional Policy for Research Chemical Procurement
A structured look at how research institutions typically organise approval, purchasing and sign-off workflows for laboratory reference materials.
2 October 2025 · 5 min
Nederlandse en EU-regelgeving voor laboratoriumchemicaliën: een overzicht
Een algemeen overzicht van hoe Nederlandse en Europese regelgeving raakt aan de inkoop, opslag en documentatie van laboratoriumchemicaliën.
25 September 2025 · 4 min
Research Use Only: wat betekent deze status praktisch voor uw laboratorium?
De aanduiding 'research use only' bepaalt hoe een referentiemateriaal mag worden ingekocht, gebruikt en gedocumenteerd binnen een laboratorium.
12 September 2025 · 5 min
How to work through this topic
Check your own jurisdiction
Rules differ between member states. Always confirm the position that applies where the material will be used.
Where a national rule conflicts with anything described here, the national rule applies.
Put a policy in writing
A short internal policy prevents ad-hoc decisions at the point of ordering.
The procurement policy guide sets out a structure you can adapt.