Product Notices
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 139
To: Customers and Distributors of Selectrol®
It is our intention to make the change listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product:
MM71 Candida guilliermondii NCPF® 3099 / ATCC® 5276
MM72 Candida lusitaniae NCPF® 3954
Product codes:
MM71-10 (10 disc) and MM72-10 (10 disc)
Proposed Change Date: From March 2025
Change Details:
MM71 and MM72 are now obsolete from the Selectrol product range.
Reason for Change:
A commercial decision has been made to remove these strains from our Selectrol product range due to very low sales.
A number of other Candida strains are available for sale within our Selectrol® range. Suitability for use as alternatives should be determined by the end user.
Mar 2025
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 137
Products affected: See Appendix 1, below
See attached.It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Proposed Change Date: 14-04-2025
Change Details:
Change to bag design on the above product codes, these products are supplied in 2,4,7 and 10L bags.
The change is required due to the incumbent supplier restricting availability on these bag lines.
We have taken the opportunity to develop the bag design to incorporate some customer design requests.
Reason for Change:
The incumbent supplier has restricted supply on one bag line and has indicated further restrictions will apply to the remainder of the product range, forcing TCS to find a long term supply option.
Considerations:
Extensive trials were held in house to ensure the bag quality, supply chain and end product quality were not affected by the proposed change. There is no significant difference in the connections available to the user, these have been kept consistent with the current supply.
Conclusion
The bags and their design have passed the TCS product trial criteria and incorporates customer design change requests. The change ensures long term stability of supply to both TCS and our customers.
Appendix 1
| Product codes | Volume |
|---|---|
| DEFIBRINATED HORSE BLOOD | |
| HB001B | 1LTR |
| HB001L | BULK |
| HB003B | 1.1 LTR |
| HB079B | 1.5LTR |
| HB002B | 2LTR |
| HBO68B | 2.7LTR |
| HB058B | 3LTR |
| HB099B | 3.5LTR |
| HB014B | 4 LTR |
| HB004B | 5LTR |
| HB011B | 5.5LTR |
| HB009B | 6LTR |
| HB007B | 7 LTR |
| HB005B | 7.8LTR |
| HB008B | 8LTR |
| HB071B | 10LTR |
| LYSED HORSE BLOOD | |
| HB069B | 2.6LTR |
| HB070B | 5LTR |
| DEFIBRINATED SHEEP BLOOD | |
| SB006L | BULK |
| SB006L | BULK |
| SB001B | 1LTR |
| SB009B | 1.5LTR |
| SB003B | 2LTR |
| SB113B | 3LTR |
| SB1012B | 3.1LTR |
| SB014L | BULK QA |
| SB116B | 9LTR |
| SB095B | 10LTR |
| SB005B | 5LTR |
| SB002B | 7LTR |
| SB210B | 10LTR PCV |
| SB094B | 800ML |
| WASHED SHEEP ERYTHROCYTES | |
| SB114B | 2LTR |
| SB115 | 2.6LTR |
Jan 2025
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 133a
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol®
We have made a change to the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
| Product | Selectrol freezer strains as listed: |
|---|---|
| MM05-5 | Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
| MM06-10 | Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
| MM07-10 | Shigella sonnei |
| MM08-10 | Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 |
| MM27-10 | Citrobacter freundii |
| MM31-10 | Clostridium sporogenes |
| MM36-10 | Campylobacter jejuni |
| MM37-10 | Haemophilus influenzae |
| MM44-10 | Bacteroides fragilis |
| MM45-10 | Clostridium perfringens |
| MM50-10 | Saccharomyces cerevisiae |
| MM67-10 | Mycobacterium smegmatis |
| MM81-10 | Haemophilus influenzae |
| MM82-10 | Campylobacter jejuni |
| MM96-5 | Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
| MM98-10 | Haemophilus influenzae |
| MM99-10 | Legionella anisa |
| MM100-10 | Haemophilus influenzae |
Proposed Change Date: 01/12/2024
Change Details:
From 1 December 2024 each lot of the strains listed above will be given a longer shelf life than for previous lots of these strains.
Reason for Change:
From our on-going shelf life studies, we have obtained stability data to support the extension to shelf life of the above Selectrol® strains when stored in a freezer (-15 to -30°C) as indicated on the vial label.
Dec 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 136
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol®
It is our intention to change the source strain of the product listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below..
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Yersinia enterocolitica 1st generation derivative from NCTC® 12982
Product code: MM80
Proposed Change Date: 01.12.2024
Change Details:
Storage conditions for this strain will be changed to -30°C to -15°C from -20°C to +8°C.
Reason for Change:
As part of our on-going shelf-life work we have recently completed a series of shelf life studies for MM80.
The results showed when stored at fridge temperatures (2-8°C) there are insufficient colony forming units to support the stated shelf life.
This strain will therefore be labelled for freezer storage (-30°C to -15°C) only.
Considerations:
All vials of MM80 despatched from 01 December will be labelled as described above.
We recommend that any existing stock of MM80 at customer facilities is transferred to freezer storage if it is currently refrigerated.
Nov 2024
New Product, Coming Soon - Selectrol® MM49 Candida auris NCPF® 8977
TCS Biosciences is pleased to announce a new Selectrol® strain, MM49 Candida auris NCPF® 8977, which is due to be available early 2025.
Selectrol® is a fully traceable and cost effective range of first generation Quality Control micro-organisms which have predictable biochemical reactions, making it ideal for a variety of quality control and testing applications.
- Quality control of culture media, staining reactions, biochemical profiling.
- Determination of antibiotic concentrations in blood, serum or CSF samples.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing controls, whether by disc diffusion or serial dilution.
Selectrol® discs are manufactured under license from UK Health Security Agency.
NCTC® and NCPF® are trademarks of UK Health Security Agency.
ATCC® strains are listed for reference only.
ATCC® is a registered trademark of the American Type Culture Collection.
Nov 2024
Bacillus cereus NCTC® 10320 Selectrol® MM21 ATCC® equivalents
This strain has been noted to have three equivalent ATCC® strains:
- ATCC® 9634
- ATCC® 11778
- ATCC® 19637
All ATCC® references listed above are equivalent to NCTC® 10320.
It is not possible to list all ATCC® numbers on the Selectrol® label so only ATCC® 9634 is indicated.
This information has been verified on the reference websites for NCTC® and ATCC®.
Note: Selectrol® Discs are first generation freeze-dried microorganisms manufactured exclusively from NCTC® (National Collection of Type Cultures) and NCPF® (National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi) cultures and ATCC® numbers are for reference only.
Jul 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 131
To: Customers and Distributors of Selectrol®
It is our intention to make the change listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: MM30 Staphylococcus aureus NCTC® 7447 / ATCC® 6538P, 25 disc format
Product code: MM30-25 (25 disc)
Proposed Change Date: 1 June 2024
Change Details:
MM30, 25 disc format will become obsolete from the Selectrol® product range.
Reason for Change:
MM30 is currently available in 10 disc and 25 disc format. Following a review of product sales a commercial decision has been taken to make this Selectrol® strain available only in 10 disc format from 1 June 2024.
Jun 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 129
To: Customers and Distributors of Selectrol
It is our intention to make the changes listed below. The details of the changes and the reasons for them are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol strains as detailed below.
Product code: Selectrol: MM03, MM29, MM97.
Proposed Change Date: 1 June 2024
Change Details:
The names of Selectrol strains MM03, MM29 and MM97 will change. Labels and certificates of analysis will be updated accordingly.
| Product code | Designation | Current name | New name from 01.06.24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM03 | NCPF® 3100 | Candida krusei | Pichia kudriavzevii |
| MM29 | NCTC® 10400 / ATCC® 10400 | Bacillus subtilis | Bacillus subtilis subsp spizizenii |
| MM97 | NCTC® 1621 / ATCC® 6939 | Rhodococcus equi | Rhodococcus hoagii |
Reason for Change:
We have been advised that UKHSA has changed the names of the strains as above, so we are updating our documentation accordingly. There is no change to the NCTC strain number which remains the same.
Note:
ATCC® identification included for reference only
Apr 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 125a
To: Customers purchasing stains
It is our intention to make the changes listed below. The details of the changes and the reasons for them are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Giemsa and May Grunwald stains
Product code: Giemsa Stain - HS295 and May Grunwald Stain – HS445
Proposed Change Date: 1 April 2024
Justification:
TCS has recently carried out work to optimise the formulation of the Giemsa and May Grunwald stains to improve functionality.
The ingredients within the formulations remain the same but the proportions have been altered to optimise performance. An additional post-production filtration step has also been added.
The performance of these optimised stains has been assessed by an external laboratory with very positive feedback received.
Feb 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 124
To: Customers and Distributors of Selectrol and Accu-Bac
It is our intention to make the change listed below.
The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol and Accu-Bac strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC® 12924 / ATCC® 9027
Proposed Change Date: Selectrol: MM40, Accu-Bac: AB40
Proposed Change Date: 1 March 2024
Details: The names of Selectrol strain MM40 and Accu-Bac strain AB40 will change from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Pseudomonas paraeruginosa. Labels and certificates of analysis will be updated accordingly. This name change will apply for MM40 and AB40 strains sold from 1 March onwards.
Reason for Change: We have been advised that UKHSA has changed the name of the strain as above, so we are updating our documentation accordingly. There is no change to the NCTC® strain number which remains the same.
Note - ATCC® identification included for reference only.
Jan 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 128
To: Customers purchasing Accu-Bac
It is our intention to make the changes listed below. The details of the changes and the reasons for them are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Accu-Bac strains specified below.
Product code: All except those listed below .
Proposed Change Date: 19 January 2024
Change Details:
Certificates of Analysis for Accu-Bac strains will state geometric mean within the Viable Count section.
Reason for Change:
The first batches of Accu-Bac which were made available for sale stated arithmetic mean on the associated certificates of analysis. However, it has been decided that geometric mean will be more appropriate for future batches as this is industry norm.
Considerations:
Accu-Bac certificates of analysis will state the geometric mean except those batches listed below which state the arithmetic mean:
| Product | Strain Name | Batch |
|---|---|---|
| AB02 | Escherichia coli | 402175, 402175-L |
| AB04 | Klebsiella pneumoniae | 400602, 400602-L |
| AB17 | Enterococcus faecalis | 399455, 399455-L |
| AB26 | Klebsiella aerogenes | 401375, 401375-L |
| AB40 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 401712, 401712-L |
| AB75 | Escherichia coli | 401154, 401154-L |
Jan 2024
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 122
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol
It is our intention to change the source strain of the product listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol strain MM22 Proteus mirabilis
Proposed Change Date: 1 December 2023
Details: We will no longer be able to offer for sale MM22 Proteus mirabilis NCTC 11938. Instead customers will be able to purchase MM43 Proteus mirabilis NCTC 13376 / ATCC® 14153 or MM68 Proteus mirabilis NCTC 10975.
Reason for Change: We are continually reviewing the range of Selectrol strains that we offer for sale. Sometimes it is necessary to withdraw a strain from sale for various reasons, including low sales. This is the case with MM22 Proteus mirabilis.
Considerations: To enable customers to compare MM22 with alternative strains we will continue to make this available for sale until 01 February 2024. However, please be aware this batch with lot number 02200312 has a reduced shelf life of 2024.05.
We offer two other Proteus mirabilis strains in our Selectrol range - MM43 Proteus mirabilis NCTC 13376 / ATCC® 14153 and MM68 Proteus mirabilis NCTC 10975.
Dec 2023
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 120
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol
It is our intention to change the source strain of the product listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol strain MM53 Candida krusei
Proposed Change Date: 06.11.2023
Change Details:
We will no longer be able to offer for sale MM53 Candida krusei NCPF 3953. Instead customers will be able to purchase MM03 Candida krusei NCPF 3100.
Reason for Change:
Vials of NCPF 3953 source strain (generation 0) used for manufacture of MM53 are no longer available in the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF) collection supplied by UKHSA.
An alternative source strain of NCPF 3100 has been purchased and will be available as MM03 Candida krusei in the TCS Biosciences catalogue .
Considerations:
MM03 is an alternative to MM53 and can be used as a replacement for this product
Nov 2023
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 117
To: Customers and Distributors of Selectrol
It is our intention to make the change listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: MM89 Salmonella poona, NCTC 4840, 25 disc format
Product codes: MM89-25 (25 disc)
Proposed Change Date: 1 July 2023
Change Details:
MM89, 25 disc format will become obsolete from the Selectrol product range.
Reason for Change:
MM89 is currently available in 10 disc and 25 disc format. Following a review of product sales a commercial decision has been taken to make this Selectrol strain available only in 10 disc format from 1 July 2023.
Jun 2023
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 116
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol strains
It is our intention to change the Instructions for Use of the Selectrol range of products. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately
Product: Selectrol
Product codes: All MM codes
Proposed Change Date: 1 July 2023 (or sooner if current IFU stocks run out)
Change Details:
Selectrol Instructions For Use (IFU) will change to a format that meets IVDR requirements. The IFU supplied in the clamshell pack with the Selectrol vial(s) will be in English only. Electronic versions of the IFU (eIFU) translated into all EU languages will be available on our website
https://www.tcsbiosciences.co.uk/qcerts/.
Reason for Change:
TCS continues to work towards meeting the requirements of the In Vitro Diagnostics Medical Device Regulation (IVDR) in accordance with the timeline for Class B devices. The IFU has been updated to include additional details (IVDR Annex II).
Considerations:
There is no change to the intended use of Selectrol. There is no change to the way in which Selectrol discs are to be removed from the vial or used on solid / liquid media by the end user. The IFU contains additional details including 'in use stability' and 'serious incident reporting'.
Conclusion:
The changes to the IFU have been made to meet the IVDR requirements. The IFU has been translated into all the languages of the EU and the translations are available electronically.
Apr 2023
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 114
To: Customers and Distributors of StainHD product range
It is our intention to make a change as listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
Please acknowledge receipt of this notification and confirm your acceptance of the change by completing the section in the foot of this document, and emailing a copy of the form to qc@tcsgroup.co.uk. Acceptance of the change is assumed if a response is not received within two weeks of issue of this notification.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: HS380-1L Haematoxylin Weigert Solution B
Proposed Change Date: From 1 May 2023
Change Details:
We are discontinuing this product from our current catalogue of StainHD products.
Reason for Change:
We have been reviewing sales of our Horse and Sheep blood products. There are insufficient sales of the products listed in Appendix 1 to continue to include them in our catalogue from 2023.
Considerations:
This change control is issued to give customers and distributors as much advance notice as possible prior to implementation of the change. Until 1 May 2023 HS380-1L Haematoxylin Weigert Solution B will continue to be available for sale while stocks last.
For your information, a certificate of analysis will be available for each product on our website https://www.tcsbiosciences.co.uk/dyesandstains/
Apr 2023
Incorrect accreditation symbol, 24 January - 1 March 2023
We would like to apologise to our customers who viewed and/or printed Certificates of Analysis for our Selectrol® products between 24 January and 1 March 2023. The 'Test Report on Selectrol® Disc Quality Control samples from Lot xxxxxxxx' section incorrectly included the BSI certification mark rather than the UKAS accreditation symbol. This has now been corrected. If you have any questions, please contact qc@tcsbiosciences.co.uk.
Mar 2023
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 111
To: Customers purchasing Horse and Sheep Blood Products
It is our intention to make a change as listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Horse and Sheep Blood products as listed
Proposed Change Date: 01 January 2023
Change Details:
The products listed in Appendix 1 will no longer be available in our catalogue.
Reason for Change:
We have been reviewing sales of our Horse and Sheep blood products. There are insufficient sales of the products listed in Appendix 1 to continue to include them in our catalogue from 2023.
Considerations:
There are alternative products of equivalent volume available for some of the discontinued products as listed in Appendix 1.
Conclusion
Removal of the products listed in Appendix 1 from sale will have a minimal impact on customers as current sales of these products are very low. Alternative products are suggested in table 1.
Products no longer for sale from 01.01.23 | Alternative products available in catalogue 2023 | ||||
Product code | Product Description | Volume | Product code | Product Description | Volume |
HB045 | Horse Blood in ACD | 25ml | HB047 | Horse Blood in ACD | 500ml |
HB046 | Horse Blood in ACD | 100ml | HB047 | Horse Blood in ACD | 500ml |
HB015 | Horse Blood in ACD | 2 Litres | HB047 | Horse Blood in ACD | 500ml |
HB082 | Horse Blood in EDTA | 100ml | HB073 | Horse Blood in EDTA | 500ml |
HB076 | Horse Blood in EDTA | 1 Litre | HB073 | Horse Blood in EDTA | 500ml |
HB002B | Horse Blood Defibrinated (bag) | 2 Litres | HB002 HB001B | Horse Blood Defibrinated (bottle) Horse Blood Defibrinated (bag) | 2 Litres 1 Litre |
HB0035B | Horse Blood Defibrinated (bag) | 500ml | HB035 HB001B | Horse Blood Defibrated (bottle) Horse Blood Defibrinated (bag) | 500ml 1 Litre |
HB024 | Horse Blood Lysed | 400ml | HB038 | Horse Blood Lysed | 500ml |
HB025 | Horse Blood Lysed | 200ml | HB038 | Horse Blood Lysed | 500ml |
HB026 | Horse Blood Lysed | 300ml | HB038 | Horse Blood Lysed | 500ml |
HB036 | Horse Blood Lysed | 25ml | HB037 | Horse Blood Lysed | 100ml |
HB039 | Horse Blood in Oxalate | 25ml | HB040 | Horse Blood in Oxalate | 100ml |
SB003 | Sheep Blood Defibrinated (bottle) | 2 Litres | SB003B | Sheep Blood Defibrinated (bag) | 2 Litres |
SB092 | Sheep Blood Defibrinated (bottle) | 250ml | SB055 | Sheep Blood Defibrinated (bottle) | 500ml |
SB097 | Sheep Blood Defibrinated | 200ml | SB055 | Sheep Blood Defibrinated (bottle) | 500ml |
SB065 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 25ml | SB007 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 1 Litre |
SB066 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 100ml | SB007 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 1 Litre |
SB067 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 500ml | SB007 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 1 Litre |
SB079 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 600ml | SB007 | Sheep Blood in ACD | 1 Litre |
Dec 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 109
To: Customers purchasing Bacticount Dipslides
It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Bacticount Dipslides
Proposed Change Date: Dipslides manufactured June 2022 onwards
Change Details:
Bacticount Dipslides will no longer include a cap.
Reason for Change:
We have been informed by Dimanco, the manufacturer of dipslides, that the plastic caps will no longer be included with Bacticount Dipslides.
The rising costs of plastics raw materials and consideration of the environmental benefits, including reduction of carbon footprint, to not including caps with these products are the key reasons for this change.
Considerations:
There is no change to the standard 6 month shelf life of the products; however extended shelf life to 9 months will no longer be possible.
Conclusion
There is no effect on the quality of the products. The caps have been an aesthetic addition to the slides.
Sep 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 104
To: Customers purchasing Stain HD products
It is our intention to change the IVD status of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: StainHD products as specified below
Product codes: Product codes prefixed HS and HDS. HC6405 Periodic acid (1% aqueous)
Proposed Change Date: 26 May 2022
Change Details:
Products with codes as listed above will no longer be CE marked but will carry the UKCA mark.
From this date StainHD products will be available for UK sale, but no longer available for sale in the EU.
Reason for Change:
The products listed in this change control are currently CE marked in accordance with the IVD Directive.
These products will carry the UKCA mark in accordance with the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No. 618) as amended, for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices from 26 May.
The CE mark will be removed from these products from 26 May.
Considerations:
From 26 May 2022 Regulation 2017/746 the EU IVDR will come into force in the EU. This regulation will not apply to the UK. TCS Biosciences has taken the commercial decision not to transition the StainHD product range to IVDR, therefore the CE mark will be removed from these products and they will not be available for sale in the EU.
From 26 May 2022 IVD registration of the StainHD products with product codes listed above in Great Britain will be in accordance with the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 and thus the product labels will carry the UKCA mark.
Conclusion
The changes listed above have no effect on the formulation and quality of the StainHD products included in this change control.
May 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 98
To: Customers purchasing Stain HD products
It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Stain HD Dyes and Stains
Product codes: HD codes, HS codes, HDS codes, HK codes
Proposed Change Date: 12 April 2022
Change Details:
An alternative bottle has been approved and may be used to supply 500ml and 1L volumes to customers.
Reason for Change:
Due to the current extraordinary circumstances of Covid-19 pandemic, world-wide shortage of plastics products and their constituent polymers, escalating oil prices and conflict in Ukraine we are currently unable to obtain HDPE bottles from our US supplier for use with 500ml and 1L volumes of products.
Instead, we will be supplying 500ml and 1L volumes of products in HDPE bottles from a UK supplier.
Considerations:
The UK supplier of bottles for both volumes is already an approved supplier with TCS Biosciences.
Although the bottles are different shapes, there is no difference between the two bottle types in terms of plastic used, both are manufactured using HDPE.
Our internal leak testing included filling bottles with aqueous and solvent-based stains, then storing the bottles inverted for at least 2 weeks. At the end of the test there was no evidence of leakage from any of the bottles.
Conclusion
We reserve the right to package our 500ml and 1L volume Stain HD products in HDPE bottles from either of two approved suppliers to ensure we can continue to provide these products to our customers.
Apr 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 94
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol
It is our intention to change the source strain of the product listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below. Acceptance of the change is assumed if a response is not received within two weeks of issue of this notification.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol strain MM61 Candida tropicalis
Proposed Change Date: 30.04.2022
Change Details: We will no longer be able to offer for sale MM61 Candida tropicalis NCPF 3463. Instead customers will be able to purchase MM79 Candida tropicalis NCPF 3111 Reason for Change: Vials of NCPF 3463 source strain (generation 0) used for manufacture of MM61 are no longer available in the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF) collection supplied by UKHSA. An alternative source strain of NCPF 3111 has been purchased and will be available as MM79 Candida tropicalis in the TCS Biosciences catalogue.
Considerations: MM79 is an alternative to MM61 and can be used as a replacement for this product.
NOTE: MM61 will be available to order while stocks last.
Apr 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 87
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol and Accu-Bac It is our intention to change the names of the products listed below.
The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol strains MM26 and MM88; Accu-Bac strain AB26
Proposed Change Date: 01.03.2022
Change Details:
MM26 and AB26 Enterobacter aerogenes will become known as MM26 and AB26 Klebsiella aerogenes. MM88 Klebsiella aerogenes will become known as MM88 Raoultella planticola
Reason for Change:
These microorganisms are sourced from NCTC who have updated the names.
Considerations: All references to MM26, MM88 and AB26 will incorporate the name changes from 01 March. This includes all internal documentation, Selectrol labels and certificates, Accu-Bac labels and certificates.
Mar 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 94
To: Customers purchasing Selectrol It is our intention to change the source strain of the product listed below.
The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Selectrol strain MM54 Candida parapsilosis
Proposed Change Date: 08.03.2022
Change Details:
We will no longer be able to offer for sale MM54 Candida parapsilosis NCPF 8334. Instead customers will be able to purchase MM39 Candida parapsilosis NCPF 3104.
3104 Reason for Change:
Vials of NCPF 8334 source strain (generation 0) used for manufacture of MM54 are no longer available in the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF) collection supplied by UKHSA. An alternative source strain of NCPF 3104 has been purchased and will be available as MM39 Candida parapsilosis in the TCS Biosciences catalogue.
Considerations: MM39 is an alternative to MM54 and can be used as a replacement for this product.
Mar 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 95
To: Customers and Distributors of animal blood and serum products
It is our intention to change the status of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Animal Blood and Serum products – see Appendix 1 for full list of products and product codes
Proposed Change Date: 26 May 2022
Change Details:
These products will no longer be classed as in vitro diagnostic products (IVDs). The labels for these products will not include the CE or IVD symbols.
Reason for Change:
Currently the products listed in Appendix 1 are classified as IVDs in accordance with Annex Ill of Directive 98/79/EC and a self-declaration of conformity is available for each product.
Directive 98/79/EC is to be replaced by Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) for which the date of application is 26 May 2022.
It is a requirement of the IVDR to reclassify all IVDs in accordance with the classification rules. None of the seven classification rules applies to the animal blood and serum products listed in Appendix 1.
As the animal blood and serum products are used as raw materials in manufacture and not as finished products for in vitro diagnosis of patients it will also not be possible to meet all the IVDR requirements for conformity assessment and performance evaluation.
For these reasons the products in Appendix 1 will no longer be classed as IVDs.
Considerations:
The removal of the CE and IVD symbols will have no impact on the manufacturing processes or quality of the products listed in Appendix 1; the change described is solely the removal of IVD status.
These products will continue to be suitable as raw materials for manufacture of IVDs.
TCS Biosciences will retain and maintain the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system and ISIA (International Serum Industry Association) Traceability Certification in accordance with current practices.
There is no impact on the issue of certificates of analysis for the products listed in Appendix 1.
Appendix 1
Mar 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 93
To: Customers purchasing Stain HD products
It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
Please acknowledge receipt of this notification and confirm your acceptance of the change by completing the section below and emailing a copy of the form to qc@tcsgroup.co.uk. Acceptance of the change is assumed if a response is not received within two weeks of issue of this notification.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: Stain HD Dyes and Stains.
Product code: HD codes, HS codes, HDS codes, HK codes.
Proposed Change Date: 01 March 2022
Change Details:
Stain HD products may be provided in bottles of a larger size than usual.
Reason for Change:
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the world-wide stocks of plastic products and the polymers used to produce these (including silica) are severely limited. Many bottle types used at TCS Biosciences are now on back[1]order with our suppliers and we anticipate our stocks of some bottles will run out before we receive our orders.
Considerations:
Any larger bottles used to package Stain HD products will be made of the same material as the bottle that is usually used. The volume of product contained within the bottle will be clearly indicated on the label.
Conclusion:
We reserve the right to package our Stain HD products in bottles normally used for larger volumes to ensure we can continue to provide these products to our customers. This is a temporary action and we will revert to using the usual bottles for Stain HD products as soon as we receive stocks from our suppliers.
Mar 2022
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 82
To: Customers and Distributors of StainHD product range
It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: StainHD product range (see list overleaf)
Proposed Change Date: From 1 March 2022
Change Details:
We are discontinuing some of the products and/or pack sizes from our current catalogue of StainHD products.
Reason for Change:
Due to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic TCS Biosciences continues to focus our production activities on our core products.
We have further reviewed our range of StainHD products and identified those products and pack sizes that are slower selling.
Some products will be discontinued from the range and some other products will have fewer pack sizes available than currently. See list below
Considerations
This change control is issued to give customers and distributors as much advance notice as possible prior to implementation of the change.
Until 1 March 2022 the products/pack sizes will continue to be available for sale while stocks last.
For your information, a certificate of analysis will be available for each product on our website https://www.tcsbiosciences.co.uk/dyesandstains/
Product / Pack sizes no longer available
| Product code | Product and pack size |
|---|---|
| HC product codes | |
| HC2080-100 | Karnowsky’s Fixative 100ml |
| HC5005-5L | Citroclear 5L |
| HC8503 -1L | Acetone 1L |
| HC8542-100 | Berlese Fluid 100ml |
| HC8545-500 | Bouin Fixative 500ml |
| HC8685-1L | Glycerol-1L |
| HC8700-1 | Gold chloride (brown) |
| HD product codes | |
| HD1040-10 | Alcian Blue 8GX 10g |
| HD1040-100 | Alcian Blue 8GX 100g |
| HD1245-10 | Chlroantine Fast Red 10g |
| HD1295-25 | Crystal Violet |
| HD1320-100 | Eosin Yellowish 100g |
| HD1410-25 | Field’s Stain A (compound) 25g |
| HD1415-25 | Field’s Stain B (compound) 25g |
| HD1525-100 | Leishman Stain 100g |
| HD1715-25 | Neutral Red 25g |
| HD1755-25 | Orange G (acid orange 10) 25g |
| HD1760-10 | Orcein (synthetic) 10g |
| HD1850-100 | Safranin O 100g |
| HDS product codes | |
| HDS05-100 | Antigen Retrieval Buffer conc 100ml |
| HDS40/7.5-500 | PBS Concentrate for Immuno 500ml |
| HS product codes | |
| HS115-500 | Alcian Blue 8GX (1% w/v aqueous) 500ml |
| HS140-500 | Auramine Phenol (Lempert) 500ml |
| HS142-1L | Auramine Phenol 10 x conc. 1L |
| HS165-100 | Carbol Fuchsin (Gram) 10 x conc. 100ml |
| HS205 – 100 | Cotton Blue – Lactophenol (Amann) 100ml |
| HS250-500 | Eosin Y (1% aqueous) 500ml |
| HS255-500 | Eosin Y (5% aqueous) 500ml |
| HS260-1L | Eosin Y (1% alcoholic) 1L |
| HS280-250 | Fuchsin Basic (sat. alco. soln.) 250ml |
| HS295-1L | Giemsa Stain (modified) 1L |
| HS307-100 | Gram’s Iodine 10 x conc 100ml |
| HS310-1L | Gram’s Decolouriser 1L |
| HS315-500 | Haemalum Mayer 500ml |
| HS345-500 | Haematoxylin Gill 3 500ml |
| HS375-1L | Haematoxylin Weigert Solution A 1L |
| HS380-500 | Haematoxylin Weigert Solution B 500ml |
| HS390-1L | Jenner Stain (modified) 1L |
| HS400-1L | Leishman Stain 1L |
| HS405-500 | Light Green (Masson) 500ml |
| HS430-1L | Lugol’s Iodine 10 x conc. 1L |
| HS440-100 | Malachite Green 10 x conc. 100ml |
| HS445-1L | May Grunwald Stain (modified) 1L |
| HS500-250 | Methylene Blue (1% w/v alcoholic) 250ml |
| HS500-500 | Methylene Blue (1% w/v alcoholic) 500ml |
| HS520-100 | Methylene Blue Polychrome 100ml |
| HS520-250 | Methylene Blue Polychrome 250ml |
| HS555-500 | Neutral Red (1% aqueous) 500ml |
| HS612-100 | Orcein Solution (Shikata) 100ml |
| HS630-1L | Papanicolaou Stain EA50 1L |
| HS635-1L | Papanicolaou Stain OG6 1L |
| HS672-500 | Potassium Permanganate (1% aq) 500ml |
| HS705-1L | Rapid Romanowsky Stain Pack 3 x 1L |
| HS705A-2.5L | Rapid Romanowsky Stain A 2.5L |
| HS705B-2.5L | Rapid Romanowsky Stain B 2.5L |
| HS705C-2.5L | Rapid Romanowsky Stain C 2.5L |
| HS762-100 | Thiazine Red 10 x conc. 100ml |
| HS775-250 | Trichrome Stain for Protozoa 250ml |
| HS776-250 | Trichrome Stain for Microsporidia 250ml |
| HS785-1L | Wright Stain (modified) 1L |
| HS785-500 | Wright Stain (modified) 500ml |
| HS805-MB | Cold ZN – Kinyoun Stain Pack 3 x 250ml |
Dec 2021
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 81
To: Customers and Distributors of animal blood and serum products
It is our intention to change the status of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
Product: Animal Blood and Serum products – see Appendix 1 for full list of products and product codes
Proposed Change Date: 1 January 2022
Change Details:
These products will no longer be classed as in vitro diagnostic products (IVDs). The labels for these products will not include the CE or IVD symbols.
Reason for Change:
Currently the products listed in Appendix 1 are classified as IVDs in accordance with Annex Ill of Directive 98/79/EC and a self-declaration of conformity is available for each product.
Directive 98/79/EC is to be replaced by Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) for which the date of application is 26 May 2022.
It is a requirement of the IVDR to reclassify all IVDs in accordance with the classification rules. None of the seven classification rules applies to the animal blood and serum products listed in Appendix 1.
As the animal blood and serum products are used as raw materials in manufacture and not as finished products for in vitro diagnosis of patients it will also not be possible to meet all the IVDR requirements for conformity assessment and performance evaluation.
For these reasons the products in Appendix 1, below, will no longer be classed as IVDs.
Considerations
The removal of the CE and IVD symbols will have no impact on the manufacturing processes or quality of the products listed in Appendix 1; the change described is solely the removal of IVD status.
These products will continue to be suitable as raw materials for manufacture of IVDs.
TCS Biosciences will retain and maintain the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system and !SIA (International Serum Industry Association) Traceability Certification in accordance with current practices.
There is no impact on the issue of certificates of analysis for the products listed in Appendix 1.
APPENDIX 1:
| Product | Product codes |
| Bovine Blood in Alsever's | OB0?AP |
| Bovine Blood Defibrinated | BB003 |
| Bovine Blood in Heparin | BB-HEP-1 L |
| Chicken Blood Cells (Adult) in Alsever's | FB010AP, FB011AP, FB012AP, FB013AP |
| Chicken Whole Blood in Alsever's 1:1 | FB021AP |
| Chicken Whole Blood Defibrinated Non-Sterile | FB022AP |
| Goat Blood in Alsever's | OB026AP |
| Guinea Pig Blood Cells in Alsever's | PB029AP,PB030AP,PB031AP,PB032AP |
| Whole Foal Blood in EDTA | HB110 |
| Mouse Blood in K2 EDTA | MS011 |
| Pig Blood Citrated Raw 2% Sodium Citrate | PB003AP |
| Pig Whole Blood Sterile 9:1 Citrate Mixture | PB002AP |
| Pig Blood in EDTA | PB004AP |
| Rabbit Blood in Alsever's | RB053AP, RB054AP, RB056AP |
| Rabbit Blood Defibrinated | RB051AP, RB052AP,RB055AP |
| Rat Blood in EDTA (raw) | OB122 |
| Male Rat Blood in K2 EDTA | OB115 |
| Sheep Blood Buffy Coat Suspension | SB117 |
| Turkey Blood in Alsever's | OB117AP |
| Turkey Cells in Alsever's | OB118AP. OB119AP |
Dec 2021
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 80
To: Customers and Distributors of Selectrol
It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below. The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: MM69 Candida glabrata NCPF 3309 / ATCC® 2001
Product code: MM69-10 (10 disc)
Proposed Change Date: January 2022
Change Details:
MM69 is going to become obsolete from the Selectrol product range. We estimate our current stocks will have sold out by Jan 2022.
Reason for Change:
NCPF are unable to supply this strain as Generation 0 (zero) in order for us to produce a 1st generation product in the form of Selectrol discs. There are no alternative strains of the same name available to use in replacement.
Dec 2021
TCS BIOSCIENCES LTD, CHANGE NOTICE: CCI 70A
To: Customers and Distributors of StainHD product range.
It is our intention to change the Manufacturing Process of the products listed below.
The details of the change and the reason for it are given below.
If you have any difficulties or concerns accepting the change, please contact us immediately.
Product: StainHD product range (see list below)
Proposed Change Date: From 1 June 2021
Details: We are discontinuing some of the products and/or pack sizes from our current catalogue of StainHD products.
Reason for Change: Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic TCS Biosciences is focussing our production activities on our core products. We have reviewed our range of StainHD products and identified those products and pack sizes that are slower selling. Some products will be discontinued from the range and some other products will have fewer pack sizes available than currently. See list below Note – this list is not exhaustive and TCS Biosciences reserves the right to include further products as necessary.
Considerations: This change control is issued to give three months’ advance notice prior to implementation of the change. For your information, a certificate of analysis will be available for each product on our website https://www.tcsbiosciences.co.uk/dyesandstains/
Pack sizes no longer available:
- HC6455-50 Periodic Acid (50% solution) 50ml
- HC8610-100 DPX Mounting Medium 100ml
- HC8715-50 Immersion Oil 50ml
- HC8805-25 Silver Nitrate 25g
- HD1295-10 Crystal Violet (CI42555) 10g
- HD1295-25 Crystal Violet (CI42555) 25g
- HD1320-25 Eosin Yellowish 25g
- HD1410-1K Field’s Stain A (compound) 1kg
- HD1415-1K Field’s Stain B (compound) 1kg
- HD1715-10 Neutral Red 10g
- HD1850-25 Safranin O 25g
- HS115-250 Alcian Blue 8GX(1% w/v aqueous) 250ml
- HS116-100 Alcian Blue 8GX(1% in 3% acetic acid) 100ml
- HS116-250 Alcian Blue 8GX(1% in 3% acetic acid) 250ml
- HS137-1L Potassium Permanganate (0.1% aqueous) 1L
- HS140-1L Auramine Phenol (Lempert) 1L
- HS140-250 Auramine Phenol (Lempert) 250ml
- HS160-250 Carbol Fuchsin (Gram) 250ml
- HS170-250 Carbol Fuchsin (Ziehl-Neelsen) 250ml
- HS180-250 Carbol Fuchsin (Kinyoun) 250ml
- HS200-100 Amyloid Stain Congo Red Solution 100ml
- HS205-250 Cotton Blue – Lactophenol (Amann) 250ml
- HS205-500 Cotton Blue – Lactophenol (Amann) 500ml
- HS230-250 Crystal Violet (Gram) 250ml
- HS232-250 Crystal Violet Oxalate (Gram) 250ml
- HS280-100 Fuchsin Basic (sat. alco. soln.) 100ml
- HS295-250 Giemsa Stain (modified) 250ml
- HS305-250 Gram’s Iodine 250ml
- HS310-250 Gram’s Decolouriser 250ml
- HS315-100 Haemalum Mayer 100ml
- HS356-100 Haematoxylin Harris (with acetic acid) 100ml
- HS330-1L Haematoxylin Ehrlich 1L
- HS375-250 Haematoxylin Weigert Solution A 250ml
- HS380-250 Haematoxylin Weigert Solution B 250ml
- HS425-250 Lugol’s Iodine 250ml
- HS515-250 Methylene Blue Polychrome 250ml
- HS555-100 Neutral Red (1% aqueous) 100ml
- HS705A-1L Rapid Romanowsky Stain A 1L
- HS720-250 Safranin (1% Aqueous) 250ml
- HS780-100 Van Gieson Stain 100ml
- HS787-1L ZN Decolouriser 1L
- HS787-250 ZN Decolouriser 250ml
- HC8695-500 Glycerin Jelly 500g
- HC8700-1 Gold Chloride (brown) 1g
- HC8855-5L Xylene 5L
- HD1090-100 Aniline Blue Water Soluble 100g
- HD1090-25 Aniline Blue Water Soluble 25g
- HD1115-100 Auramine O 100g
- HD1145-10 Azur II 10g
- HD1175-25 Biebrich Scarlet 25g
- HD1190-10 Brilliant Cresyl Blue 10g
- HD1190-25 Brilliant Cresyl Blue 25g
- HD1255-25 Chromatrope 2R – 25g
- HD1270-10 Congo Red 10g
- HD1270-100 Congo Red 100g
- HD1290-10 Crystal Ponceau (acid red 44) 10g
- HD1380-10 Fast Green FCF 10g
- HD1380-25 Fast Green FCF 25g
- HD1425-10 Fuchsin Acid 10g
- HD1425-25 Fuchsin Acid 25g
- HD1435-25 Fuchsin Basic for ZN 25g
- HD1455-25 Giemsa Stain 25g
- HD1475-100 Haematoxylin 100g
- HD1475-25 Haematoxylin 25g
- HD1570-25 Lugol Iodine (compound) 25g
- HD1595-25 Martius Yellow 25g
- HD1605-25 May Grunwald Stain 25g
- HD1620-25 Methyl Blue 25g
- HD1660-100 Methylene Blue Alkaline (Loeffler) 100g
- HD1660-25 Methylene Blue Alkaline (Loeffler) 25g
- HD1745-25 Nuclear Fast Red 25g
- HD1755-100 Orange G (acid orange 10) 100g
- HD1785-10 Ponceau Fuchsin (Masson) 10g
- HD1785-25 Ponceau Fuchsin (Masson) 25g
- HD1800-25 Ponceau de Xylidine 25g
- HD1960-10 Toluidine Blue O (basic blue 17) 10g
- HD1960-25 Toluidine Blue O (basic blue 17) 25g
- HS145-1L Auramine Decolouriser (Lempert) 1L
- HS172-1L Carazzi Stain 1L
- HS570-250 Neutral Red (Jensen) 250ml
- HS670-500 Ponceau Fuchsin (Masson) 500ml
Mar 2021
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