Equipment

  1. How can the balances in our laboratory be shown to be suitable for weighing the amounts specified in a USP monograph?

    Refer to General Chapters <41> Weights and Balances and <1251> Weighing on an Analytical Balance in the USP–NF. The procedure used to determine the suitability of balances is indicated in <41>Weights and Balances. Note that under <1251>, it is stated that "...it is important for each balance to be serviced and calibrated regularly by a specially trained internal or external service person." Please check the index of the most recent issue of the Pharmacopeial Forum for proposed updates of these general chapters.

  2. Does USP disclose the brand of instrument that was used in performing the USP method?

    If such information is available, it may be confidential. Therefore, such requests will be handled through the USP Document Disclosure Policy by the Executive Secretariat/Legal Division. This policy is articulated in the Standards-Setting Proccesses section of the USP Code of Ethics. USP has established guidelines according to this policy to handle such inquiries including the related fees to investigate the request for such information. This is to ensure that appropriate expenses are covered. If you are interested in this service as described above, please contact Mario Sindaco, Director, Compendial Affairs, (mys@usp.org) to investigate your request.