Research-Use Policy

Purpose

This Research-Use Policy sets out the conditions on which endopep supplies analytical-grade synthetic peptides as reference standards for in-vitro laboratory research. It is referenced by the Terms of Supply, by the Acceptable Use Policy, and by the pre-checkout declaration that every buyer must accept before an order can be placed.

Definition of research use

Research use, for the purposes of this policy, means in-vitro laboratory experiments performed in a controlled laboratory environment for the purpose of characterising the substance, studying its physicochemical or biological properties in cell-free systems or cell culture, developing or validating an analytical method, or generating scientific data that does not involve administration of the substance to humans or animals by any route. Research use does not include in-vivo administration, compounding for subsequent administration, food or dietary-supplement use, cosmetic use, or any therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic use.

Definition of qualified researcher

A qualified researcher is an individual who holds a scientific or technical role at a professional research institution, who has received appropriate training in laboratory safety and chemical handling, who is acting within the scope of a recognised research programme, and who is either (a) the principal investigator for that research programme or (b) acts under the supervision of a named principal investigator at the same institution.

Definition of professional research institution

A professional research institution is a university, non-profit research institute, public research organisation, biotechnology or pharmaceutical company, contract research organisation, clinical reference laboratory, or other organisation whose primary or recognised activity is the conduct of scientific research, that is legally established in a European Union member state on the eligible-country list, and whose activity is lawful under the applicable national and EU law. Individuals acting in a personal capacity are not professional research institutions, and sole-proprietor consulting entities without independent laboratory facilities do not qualify.

Eligible countries

The catalogue is offered to professional research institutions established in the following EU member states: Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Finland. The inclusion of any additional member state, and the treatment of Germany and France, is subject to external legal review. Supply outside this list is not offered.

Evidence required at account registration

At registration, every account applicant must provide: the institution's legal name, institutional address, institutional website domain, VAT number (validated against VIES), the applicant's job title and department, the name of the principal investigator where the applicant is a student or technician, and documentary evidence of affiliation (acceptable evidence includes an email confirmation from the institution, a letter on institutional letterhead, or a scan of an institutional identification card). The applicant's contact email must be at the institution's domain. Consumer email addresses are not accepted. Applications are reviewed manually and are not activated until approved.

Eligibility at order time

Before an order can be placed, the buyer must complete a pre-checkout declaration confirming, on a per-order basis, that the substance will be used only for in-vitro research, that the buyer is a qualified researcher acting on behalf of an approved institution, that the purchase and intended use are lawful in the buyer's jurisdiction, that the buyer has read and will follow the Safety Data Sheet, and that the buyer accepts the Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Supply. Each of these statements is a separate contractual representation and warranty.

Revalidation

Approved accounts are revalidated at least annually. endopep may request updated evidence of affiliation at any time and may suspend or terminate any account that fails revalidation, in its absolute discretion and without liability.

Withdrawal and suspension

endopep may suspend or terminate any account, and refuse, cancel or delay any order, for any reason consistent with this policy and applicable law, including without limitation any breach or suspected breach of the Acceptable Use Policy, any pattern of orders inconsistent with research use, any mismatch between the institution and the shipping address, any change in regulatory status of a substance, any request from a payment-processing partner, or any request from a regulatory authority.

Shipping

Orders ship only to institutional addresses on the eligible-country list. Shipments to residential addresses, to PO boxes, or to countries outside the eligible list are not offered.

Records and audit

endopep retains the account-registration record, pre-checkout declaration record, shipment record and supporting documentation for ten years, consistent with REACH Article 36 record-keeping obligations. Records may be disclosed to national competent authorities, payment-processing partners, or regulators on lawful request.

Governing law

This Research-Use Policy forms part of the Terms of Supply and is governed by the same law and forum. See the Terms of Supply for details.