Diagnostic and research lab supplies (Canada)
A working list of what diagnostic, research and third-party testing laboratories in Canada reorder, plus the packaging rule that decides whether a specimen bag is actually compliant.
What does UN3373 actually require from a specimen bag?
UN3373 is the transport category for Biological Substance, Category B. It is not a product grade — it is a packaging instruction. A Category B specimen package must pass a pressure differential test of 95 kPa and a drop test, and the primary receptacle must be leak-proof. That is why the figure to look for on a specimen bag is 95 kPa, not "thick" or "heavy-duty".
Common mistake worth correcting: a thicker-looking bag is not automatically a UN3373 bag. The number is the standard; thickness is a sales adjective. If a supplier cannot name the 95 kPa figure, the bag has not been verified for Category B transport.
Which consumables does a small lab reorder every month?
The recurring list is short and predictable: specimen containment, general consumables, PPE, and — if the lab sterilizes its own instruments or reuses labware — a sterilization monitoring set.
| Category | Typical item | Replenishment | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen containment | 95 kPa transport bags, graduated specimen cups, screw-cap containers | Weekly–monthly | Yes |
| Culture & processing | Petri dishes, centrifuge tubes, swabs | Monthly | Yes |
| Biohazard handling | Red biohazard bags, sharps containers | Monthly | Yes |
| PPE | Nitrile examination gloves, masks, hand hygiene | Monthly | Yes |
| Sterilization monitoring | Biological indicators, integrators, pouches, tape | Monthly–quarterly | Yes |
How do you set up sterilization monitoring in a laboratory (not a clinic)?
The components are the same as a clinic's: a process indicator on the outside of every pack, a chemical integrator inside, and a biological indicator run on a defined schedule and read by incubation or by a fluorescence reader. What differs in a lab is which items are sterilized — reusable glassware, tools and media preparation equipment rather than dental instruments — and therefore which cycle types you must cover.
The single most common error: stating a monitoring frequency as a national rule. Frequency is set by your regulator or by your own process validation, and it differs by province and sector. Confirm the figure against your own authority before writing it into an SOP.
What does a monthly laboratory reorder look like?
Institutional quantities and case pricing are quoted per order — start at wholesale accounts. General consumables ship from Toronto stock: see the wholesale catalogue and clinic supply lines.
Cotton swabs sold by CliniEco Medical are general-purpose and are not intended for wound care, specimen collection or laboratory use — use an approved collection swab for specimen collection.
What does it cost per unit at case quantity?
CliniEco Medical sells by the case. The table shows the case price and the arithmetic per unit, so you can compare against your current supplier before asking for a quote.
| Item | Pack | Case price (CAD) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen transport bags, 6×9 in (95 kPa) | 100 | $79.99 | $0.80 each |
| Specimen transport bags, 6×9 in, 3-wall | 100 | $127.60 | $1.28 each |
| Graduated specimen cups, 90 mL leak-proof | 100 | $53.94 | $0.54 each |
| Specimen containers, 120 mL sterile screw cap | 100 | $59.98 | $0.60 each |
| Petri dishes, 100×15 mm sterile | 500 | $159.99 | $0.32 each |
| Centrifuge tubes, 15 mL sterile | 500 | $59.99 | $0.12 each |
| Centrifuge tubes, 50 mL sterile | 500 | $89.99 | $0.18 each |
| Biohazard bags, red, 30 gallon | 1 | $54.95 | case only |
| Sharps containers, 1 quart | 20 | $89.99 | $4.50 each |
| Biological indicator, 24 h readout | 25 | $59.99 | $2.40 each |
| BI incubator, 24-well dry block | 1 | $279.00 | case only |
Single-unit pricing is not offered — orders ship by the case. Institutional quantities are quoted per order: wholesale accounts.
Which of these can you order today?
Everything below ships from Toronto stock. Prices are for the smallest sellable unit; institutional quantities and case pricing are quoted per order — see laboratory consumables for the full range.
| Item | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 6×9" UN3373 Specimen Transport Bags — 95kPa, 100-Pack | $79.99 / box (100) · $639.92 / case (10 boxes) |
| Specimen Container 120 mL — Sterile, Screw Cap | $59.98 / case (200 containers) |
| Leak-Proof Sample Cups — 90 mL, Graduated | $53.94 / case (600 cups) |
| Stool Collection Kit — Sterile, with Scoop & Label | $39.99 / pack (100) |
| 8×10" UN3373 Specimen Transport Bags — 95kPa, 100-Pack | $349.00 / box (100) |
| 12×15" UN3373 Specimen Transport Bags — 95kPa, 100-Pack | $549.00 / box (100) |
What are the ordering terms?
Three constraints apply to every institutional order, stated up front so nothing is a surprise at checkout:
- Payment at the time of order. CliniEco Medical does not extend credit terms or net-30 invoicing. Purchase orders requiring deferred payment cannot be accepted.
- Case quantities. Products ship by the case; single-unit and split-case orders are not available. Case contents are listed on each product page.
- No silent backorders. If an item cannot ship, you are told before the order is placed rather than after.
Which regulations and standards apply?
Framework pointers so you can trace each requirement to source. Always confirm against the current official text; versions below were checked on the date shown.
| Subject | Framework | Issuing body | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport of Biological Substance, Category B | UN3373 / Packing Instruction P650 (95 kPa, drop test) | Transport Canada (TDG) · tc.canada.ca | 2026-09-20 |
| Medical laboratory competence | ISO 15189 | ISO · iso.org | 2026-09-20 |
| Provincial laboratory licensing | Provincial licensing requirements | Your provincial ministry of health | 2026-09-20 |
| Sterilization of reusable medical devices | CSA Z314 series | CSA Group · csagroup.org | 2026-09-20 |
CliniEco Medical supplies products for these workflows; we do not provide regulatory advice for your facility. Your authority and your own validation determine what you must do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 95 kPa specimen bag the same as a biohazard bag?
No. A biohazard bag is for waste handling. A 95 kPa specimen bag is a transport package verified against a pressure differential requirement for Biological Substance, Category B.
Do we need a biological indicator if our lab only autoclaves glassware?
You need the monitoring your validation or accreditation body expects for the loads you run. Bacillus-based biological indicators verify the cycle actually killed spores; chemical indicators only show the pack saw heat. Confirm the required frequency with your own authority.
Can CliniEco Medical supply a third-party testing laboratory rather than a clinic?
Yes. CliniEco Medical supplies diagnostic laboratories, research laboratories and third-party testing laboratories. Start at wholesale accounts or the wholesale catalogue.
What are the ordering terms?
Payment is made at the time of order. CliniEco Medical does not offer credit terms or net-30 invoicing; orders ship by the case.
MDEL #35334 · CliniEco Medical imports medical devices into Canada as a licensed medical device establishment.
Free shipping over $99 in Ontario / over $199 in the rest of Canada ($15 flat below).
Not sure how this applies to your own site?
Guides and calculators cover the general case. Your site has its own sterilizer, its own province and its own inspector. Tell us what you run and you will get a written answer specific to your setup, citing the regulation or standard it is based on.
Sterilization monitoring for diagnostic laboratories
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