Common Causes of Pipetting Error in Laboratory Liquid Handling

By Donal O’Sullivan, BSc. Reviewed by Michael Anderson, MBA.

 

Inconsistent pipetting results are frustrating because the cause is not always obvious. A pipette may appear to operate normally, the same consumables may have been used previously without difficulty, and the operator may be following a familiar procedure. Yet several symptoms can still appear:

• replicate measurements begin to vary;
• bubbles appear during aspiration;
• liquid drips from the tip; or
• transferred volumes become less repeatable.

The temptation is often to blame the pipette itself. In practice, pipetting performance depends on a complete pipette–tip–liquid–operator system. Inconsistency can arise from the instrument, pipette tip, operator technique, characteristics of the liquid, environmental conditions or interactions between several of these factors.

For scientists troubleshooting inconsistent liquid handling, the most effective approach is therefore diagnostic rather than reactive. Instead of immediately recalibrating the pipette or changing consumables, identify the pattern of the error, isolate the most likely causes and test them systematically.

For a broader introduction to pipette-tip selection, compatibility and liquid handling performance, see LabFriend UK's Complete Guide to Pipette Tips, Pipetting Accuracy & Laboratory Liquid Handling.

Why Are My Pipetting Results Inconsistent?

Inconsistent pipetting results can be caused by variation in operator technique, poor pipette-tip fit, incorrect aspiration or dispensing, air bubbles, unsuitable pipette volume selection, pipette condition, liquid properties or environmental conditions. The most reliable way to identify the cause is to troubleshoot the complete pipette–tip–liquid–operator system rather than assuming the pipette itself is faulty.

This distinction matters because several different problems can produce similar symptoms.

A dripping pipette tip, for example, might indicate poor seal integrity between the pipette and tip. But it could also be associated with pipette condition, incorrect handling or the characteristics of the liquid being transferred.

Similarly, inconsistent replicate volumes might result from calibration, but they can also arise from differences in aspiration depth, pipetting speed, tip pre-wetting, operator handling or evaporation.

Troubleshooting therefore begins with the symptom but should never stop there.

First Determine Whether the Error Is Systematic or Intermittent

Before changing anything, consider how the problem presents itself.

A persistent error that occurs with every transfer may point towards a different cause from an intermittent problem that appears only occasionally.

For example, if the pipette repeatedly dispenses a similar incorrect volume, instrument calibration or the suitability of the method may warrant investigation. If the results fluctuate substantially between otherwise identical transfers, operator technique, tip sealing, aspiration behaviour or environmental effects may deserve closer attention.

Likewise, a problem that occurs only with one liquid should encourage investigation of that liquid's physical properties before assuming that the pipette or tip is defective.

A useful first-stage diagnostic assessment is:

Observation	Areas to Investigate First
Consistently incorrect transferred volume	Pipette setting, calibration, method and pipette suitability
Poor repeatability between transfers	Technique, aspiration consistency, tip fit and pipette condition
Air bubbles visible in the tip	Aspiration depth, aspiration speed, tip positioning and liquid handling technique
Liquid dripping from the tip	Seal integrity, tip condition, pipette condition and liquid characteristics
Tip loosening during use	Tip compatibility, seating and pipette-cone condition
Problem occurs with one liquid only	Viscosity, volatility, surface tension and handling technique
Problem occurs with one operator only	Technique consistency, ergonomics and training

This matrix should be used to direct investigation rather than diagnose the problem conclusively. Several causes may produce the same symptom.

Using the Wrong Pipette for the Required Volume

One of the simplest causes of poor liquid handling performance is using a pipette too close to the lower limit of its working range when another instrument would be better suited to the required volume.

A pipette designed to cover a broad volume range does not necessarily provide the same practical operating margin at every point within that range. As transferred volumes become smaller, minor differences in aspiration, residual liquid and operator handling can become proportionally more significant.

The first troubleshooting question should therefore be straightforward:

Is this the most appropriate pipette for the volume being transferred?

If a laboratory experiences problems primarily at very low volumes, that becomes a more specialised troubleshooting problem. This article deliberately does not attempt to exhaust that subject because low-volume PCR and qPCR troubleshooting requires its own application-specific assessment.

The important principle here is simply to establish that the instrument is being used appropriately before investigating more complicated causes.

Aspiration Technique and Immersion Depth

Aspiration is one of the most common points at which operator-dependent variability enters a pipetting workflow.

For air-displacement pipettes (the standard pipette type, which uses an air cushion to draw up liquid), consistent liquid uptake depends on repeatable handling. Variations in aspiration speed, pipette orientation, immersion depth and the time allowed for liquid to enter the tip can all influence transfer behaviour.

Immersing a pipette tip too deeply may increase the possibility of liquid adhering to the outside of the tip. Holding the tip too close to the liquid surface can increase the risk of aspirating air if the liquid level changes during uptake.

Similarly, aggressive aspiration is not necessarily faster in practical terms if it introduces bubbles or produces inconsistent liquid uptake. Rapid aspiration can also prevent the liquid column from fully stabilising even when no bubbles are visible, which affects volume precision.

The objective is repeatability. Operators should use a controlled aspiration technique appropriate to the liquid, pipette and volume being transferred rather than attempting to compensate for inconsistent results by increasing force or speed. Consistent tip pre-wetting cycles are part of this controlled technique.

Air Bubbles During Aspiration

Visible bubbles within a pipette tip are an important troubleshooting clue.

They indicate that the aspiration process has not produced the intended continuous liquid column. Potential causes include aspiration technique, incorrect tip positioning, loss of seal integrity or inappropriate handling of the particular liquid.

If bubbles appear repeatedly, simply dispensing and trying again without investigating the cause may reproduce the same error.

Instead, consider:

• whether the tip remains sufficiently immersed throughout aspiration;
• whether aspiration is being performed too rapidly;
• whether the tip is seated consistently;
• whether the pipette is being held appropriately for the method; and
• whether the liquid requires a modified technique because of its physical properties.

Where the problem is confined to very small volumes, the investigation should subsequently move into the dedicated low-volume troubleshooting workflow rather than allowing this broad diagnostic article to duplicate that subject.

Pipette-Tip Fit and Seal Integrity

Pipette-tip compatibility is another important cause of inconsistent liquid handling.

A tip can physically attach to a pipette without necessarily providing the functional fit required for repeatable aspiration and dispensing. Small differences in the interface between the pipette cone and tip can influence seal integrity and therefore liquid handling behaviour, governed specifically by cone geometry tolerances and the condition of the pipette's seal or O-ring.

Possible symptoms include inconsistent aspiration, leakage, variable dispensing, excessive loading force or tips becoming loose during normal use.

This is why laboratories should distinguish between physical fit and functional fit.

Physical fit asks:

Does the tip attach to the pipette?

Functional fit asks:

Does the tip form a reliable seal and support consistent liquid handling in the intended workflow?

For a detailed explanation of this distinction and a structured compatibility assessment, see Why Pipette Tip Fit Matters for Accurate Laboratory Pipetting.

Tip-related problems should still be diagnosed carefully. Poor repeatability does not automatically mean the consumable is at fault. Calibration, pipette maintenance, operator technique, liquid properties and environmental conditions must remain part of the investigation.

Manufacturer-Specific and Compatible Pipette Tips

This distinction matters practically as well as scientifically when a laboratory is evaluating pipette-tip suppliers, since it affects both performance and procurement decisions.

Changing pipette-tip supplier can sometimes reveal a compatibility problem that was not previously apparent. Equally, compatible pipette tips can perform reliably when their suitability for the pipette and workflow has been established.

The relevant question is therefore not whether a tip carries the same brand as the pipette. The important question is whether the pipette–tip combination provides appropriate seal integrity and repeatable performance for the application, which is governed by cone-interface tolerance rather than brand matching alone.

Laboratories considering alternative consumables should evaluate them systematically rather than assuming that "universal" means suitable for every pipette or that manufacturer-specific automatically means superior for every workflow.

For laboratories reviewing this decision, Universal vs Manufacturer-Specific Pipette Tips – What Scientists Need to Know explains how compatibility, workflow verification and procurement considerations interact.

Scientists who suspect that consumable selection may be contributing to inconsistent results can also browse laboratory pipette tips to compare available formats and manufacturers. Product substitution should follow diagnosis rather than replace it.

Dispensing Technique Can Introduce Variability Too

Troubleshooting frequently concentrates on aspiration, but dispensing is equally important.

Inconsistent plunger operation, variable dispensing speed, changing tip position against the receiving vessel and inconsistent completion of the dispensing stroke can all introduce operator-to-operator or transfer-to-transfer variation.

The receiving vessel matters as well. Dispensing against a vessel wall, into an existing liquid or into an empty vessel can produce different practical handling conditions. What matters is that the laboratory adopts a technique appropriate to its method and applies it consistently.

When a workflow is transferred between operators, this consistency becomes particularly important. Two experienced scientists may each have individually repeatable techniques but still introduce systematic differences if they perform the same liquid transfer differently.

This is why troubleshooting should examine not only whether the operator is technically competent, but whether the method itself defines the critical handling steps sufficiently clearly.

Liquid Properties Change Pipetting Behaviour

Water is convenient for routine checks, but laboratory samples are rarely all water-like.

Viscosity, volatility, surface tension, temperature and sample composition can change aspiration and dispensing behaviour. A technique that works reliably for an aqueous buffer may not transfer directly to glycerol-rich solutions, volatile solvents or other challenging liquids.

When inconsistent pipetting occurs with one sample type but not others, the liquid itself becomes an important diagnostic variable.

This does not necessarily mean the pipette or tip is unsuitable. It may indicate that the workflow requires a different handling technique, additional equilibration time, pre-wetting where appropriate, or potentially a different liquid-handling technology for particularly challenging samples. Reverse pipetting is a recognised technique modification for viscous, dense or foaming liquids. Where air-displacement performance proves unreliable for such liquids, positive-displacement pipettes are the recognised alternative technology.

The important troubleshooting principle is to compare like with like. If the pipette performs consistently with one liquid but not another, investigate the physical characteristics of the problematic liquid before concluding that the instrument has failed.

The Diagnostic Principle

By this stage, a pattern should be apparent: pipetting error is rarely best understood by isolating one component from the rest of the workflow.

Reliable liquid handling depends on the interaction between:

pipette + tip + liquid + operator + environment + method

A well-calibrated pipette cannot compensate for inconsistent technique. A high-quality tip cannot correct an inappropriate instrument choice. Excellent operator technique cannot restore a damaged pipette seal. And changing consumables will not resolve a problem caused by the physical behaviour of the sample.

The second part of this guide will examine environmental influences, pipette calibration and maintenance, operator-to-operator variability, dripping tips and a practical step-by-step troubleshooting sequence for isolating the root cause before changing equipment or consumables.

 

Environmental Conditions Can Affect Pipetting Performance

When pipetting results become inconsistent, laboratories often investigate the pipette, consumable and operator before considering the environment in which the transfer is being performed. Yet temperature and evaporation can influence liquid handling, particularly where small volumes or volatile liquids are involved.

Air-displacement pipettes operate through an air cushion between the piston and the liquid. Changes affecting this system can influence aspiration and dispensing behaviour. Differences between the temperatures of the pipette, pipette tip and liquid may therefore become relevant when investigating unexplained variation. Allowing the pipette, tips and liquid to equilibrate to ambient temperature before use is the standard mitigation for this effect.

Evaporation can create another source of inconsistency. The smaller the volume being handled, the more significant evaporative loss may become relative to the total sample volume. Volatile liquids require particular care because their behaviour can differ substantially from that of water-like solutions. Ambient humidity can also influence evaporative loss, particularly for small or volatile volumes.

This does not mean that environmental conditions are responsible whenever pipetting becomes inconsistent. Instead, they should form part of a structured investigation, particularly when a problem appears only under certain laboratory conditions or with particular liquids.

Where a workflow has previously performed reliably, asking what has changed? can be particularly useful. Changes in laboratory temperature, sample preparation, equilibration time, reagents or working practices may provide more useful clues than immediately replacing equipment.

Pipette Condition, Calibration and Maintenance

If technique, tip fit and liquid characteristics do not explain the problem, the pipette itself requires closer examination.

Calibration is important, but it should not be treated as the only instrument-related cause of pipetting error. A pipette may require investigation because of wear, contamination, damaged components, deteriorating seals or other mechanical issues affecting its operation.

The pattern of the error can help determine the appropriate next step.

If transferred volumes appear consistently biased in one direction, this points to a systematic, or accuracy, error and calibration may warrant investigation. If performance is intermittent, or if symptoms such as leakage occur, this points to a random, or precision, error, and mechanical condition and seal integrity may deserve greater attention.

A practical inspection should consider whether:

• the pipette operates smoothly throughout its stroke;
• the volume setting remains stable;
• the tip cone is clean and undamaged;
• tips attach consistently;
• there is evidence of liquid or contamination entering the pipette;
• the instrument has been maintained according to the laboratory's schedule; and
• calibration status remains appropriate for the intended use.

Calibration checks are typically performed gravimetrically against ISO 8655, the international standard for piston-operated volumetric apparatus.

Excessive tip-loading force is worth noting here too: beyond the immediate usability problem it causes, habitually forcing tips onto the pipette can progressively degrade the pipette cone and seal over repeated use.

Laboratories should follow the manufacturer's instructions and their own quality procedures when inspecting, cleaning, maintaining or calibrating pipettes.

Storing pipettes vertically on a stand, rather than lying flat, is a further maintenance-adjacent practice relevant to seal and mechanical condition.

Routine calibration remains an important element of reliable liquid handling, but recalibration should not become the automatic response to every instance of poor repeatability. If the underlying cause is inconsistent technique, unsuitable tips or challenging liquid properties, calibration alone will not resolve it.

Operator-to-Operator Variability

An important troubleshooting question is whether the problem follows the instrument or the operator.

If several scientists obtain similar results with the same pipette, the investigation may reasonably focus on the equipment, consumables or method. If inconsistent performance occurs predominantly with one operator, technique or interpretation of the method may require attention.

This should not automatically be treated as an individual performance issue.

Pipetting methods sometimes contain less procedural detail than laboratories assume. Instructions may specify a volume without defining important handling parameters such as aspiration behaviour, dispensing approach or equilibration requirements. Experienced scientists can consequently develop slightly different techniques while believing they are following the same method.

Operator-to-operator variation is therefore also a method-design issue. Electronic, or motorised, pipettes can reduce, though not eliminate, some forms of this variability compared with manual pipettes, since aspiration and dispensing speed are more consistently controlled.

Where reproducibility matters, laboratories should consider whether critical pipetting steps are sufficiently standardised and whether training reflects the actual liquid-handling challenges of the workflow.

Why Do Pipette Tips Drip?

A pipette tip that drips unexpectedly is a useful warning sign because the liquid-handling system may not be maintaining the conditions required for reliable transfer.

There is not, however, one universal explanation.

Potential areas for investigation include the pipette-tip seal, the condition of the pipette, how the tip has been fitted, the liquid being handled and the operating technique.

Dripping that occurs immediately on withdrawal from the liquid and dripping that occurs during transit to the receiving vessel are different diagnostic signals and point to different causes.

If dripping begins after changing pipette-tip type or supplier, compatibility should be investigated. If multiple tip types display the same behaviour on one pipette, the instrument itself deserves closer inspection.

Likewise, if dripping occurs only with a particular liquid, its physical properties may be contributing.

The correct troubleshooting response is therefore not simply to press the tip more forcefully onto the pipette. Excessive loading force can create its own usability and compatibility problems without addressing the root cause.

Where seal integrity or compatibility is suspected, the more detailed discussion in Why Pipette Tip Fit Matters for Accurate Laboratory Pipetting provides the appropriate next diagnostic step.

A Step-by-Step Approach to Troubleshooting Pipetting Error

 

When several possible causes exist, changing multiple variables simultaneously makes diagnosis more difficult. If the pipette, tip, technique and method are all changed at once and performance improves, the laboratory still does not know which change corrected the problem.

A better approach is to investigate systematically.

Step 1: Define the Problem

Describe what is actually happening.

Is the problem:

• poor repeatability;
• consistently high or low transfer;
• visible air bubbles;
• dripping;
• loose tips;
• incomplete dispensing; or
• variability between operators?

A precise description prevents "pipetting error" from becoming an unhelpfully broad diagnosis.

Step 2: Identify When It Occurs

Determine whether the problem happens:

• on every transfer;
• intermittently;
• at one volume;
• with one pipette;
• with one tip type;
• with one liquid;
• with one operator; or
• under particular environmental conditions.

Patterns significantly narrow the diagnostic field.

Step 3: Check the Basic Operating Conditions

Confirm that the correct pipette and volume range are being used and that the instrument is operated according to the relevant procedure.

Review aspiration and dispensing behaviour before assuming equipment failure.

Step 4: Examine the Pipette-Tip Interface

Check that the tip is appropriate for the pipette and seats consistently without requiring abnormal force.

Where compatible rather than manufacturer-specific tips are used, suitability should be established through appropriate laboratory evaluation rather than inferred from physical attachment alone.

The distinction between compatibility approaches is explored further in Universal vs Manufacturer-Specific Pipette Tips – What Scientists Need to Know.

Step 5: Consider the Liquid

Ask whether the problem persists with a different, more straightforward liquid.

If performance changes substantially according to sample type, viscosity, volatility, surface behaviour or temperature may be contributing.

Step 6: Check the Pipette

Review maintenance and calibration status and inspect the instrument according to the manufacturer's instructions and laboratory procedures.

If there is evidence of mechanical deterioration, contamination or persistent performance problems, the instrument may require appropriate servicing or further assessment.

Step 7: Change One Variable at a Time

Where practical, isolate variables systematically.

Changing one element at a time makes it considerably easier to determine whether the problem originates with the pipette, tip, operator, liquid or method.

This approach is slower than replacing several components immediately, but it produces a much more useful diagnosis and reduces the likelihood that the same problem will recur.

Troubleshooting Matrix: Symptom, Possible Cause and Next Check

Symptom	Possible Causes	Useful Next Check
Poor repeatability	Technique, tip fit, pipette condition, environmental variation	Repeat controlled transfers while changing one variable at a time
Air bubbles	Aspiration technique, immersion position, seal integrity	Observe aspiration closely and inspect tip seating
Dripping tip	Seal problem, instrument condition, liquid properties	Compare another validated tip and inspect pipette condition
Tip becomes loose	Compatibility, seating or cone condition	Inspect fit and pipette cone; compare a validated alternative
Consistent volume bias	Pipette setting, calibration or method	Confirm settings and verify gravimetrically against calibration status
Results vary between operators	Technique or insufficient method standardisation	Compare working practices under controlled conditions
Problems occur with one sample	Liquid properties or sample-specific method	Compare behaviour with an appropriate reference liquid
Problems primarily at very low volumes	Volume selection and low-volume handling factors	Escalate to dedicated low-volume troubleshooting guidance

The table is intended to help laboratories prioritise an investigation. It is not a substitute for laboratory procedures, manufacturer instructions or appropriate instrument assessment.

When Changing Pipette Tips May Help—and When It Will Not

Because pipette tips are inexpensive relative to many laboratory instruments, changing the consumable can be a useful diagnostic test. It should not, however, become the default solution to every liquid-handling problem.

Changing pipette tips is particularly relevant where the evidence suggests:

• poor or inconsistent fit;
• unreliable sealing;
• excessive force is required to load the tip;
• tips loosen during use;
• the problem appeared following a change in consumable; or
• the current tip has not been established as compatible with the pipette.

Conversely, replacing the tip is unlikely to resolve a problem caused primarily by poor technique, inappropriate volume selection, pipette condition or challenging liquid behaviour.

This distinction matters commercially as well as scientifically. Laboratories achieve better procurement outcomes when consumables are selected to solve a demonstrated requirement rather than used as a substitute for root-cause analysis.

Scientists reviewing their current consumables can browse laboratory pipette tips from LabFriend UK. Where compatibility is suspected as part of the problem, product selection should follow the diagnostic process rather than precede it.

A Practical Pipetting Error Checklist

When pipetting becomes inconsistent, work through these questions in order:

This checklist is intended to be worked through sequentially before requesting instrument servicing or replacing consumables.

1. What exactly is the symptom? Define the problem before attempting to correct it.
2. Is the correct pipette being used for the required volume?
3. Does the problem occur with every transfer or only intermittently?
4. Is aspiration smooth and consistent without visible bubbles?
5. Does the pipette tip seat securely and consistently?
6. Does the problem occur with more than one validated tip type?
7. Does it occur with more than one liquid?
8. Do other trained operators reproduce the same problem?
9. Is the pipette appropriately maintained and within its required calibration regime?
10. Have environmental or workflow conditions changed?

The value of this checklist lies in the sequence. It encourages laboratories to gather evidence before deciding whether technique, consumables, equipment or the method needs to change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pipetting Error

Why are my pipetting results inconsistent?

Inconsistent pipetting can result from operator technique, pipette-tip fit, aspiration or dispensing behaviour, air bubbles, inappropriate volume selection, pipette condition, liquid characteristics or environmental conditions. Troubleshooting should consider the complete pipette–tip–liquid–operator system rather than assuming a single cause.

Why do I get air bubbles when pipetting?

Air bubbles can occur when aspiration is too rapid, tip positioning or immersion is inconsistent, air is inadvertently aspirated or seal integrity is compromised. Repeated bubbles should be investigated rather than treated as a normal part of pipetting.

Why is liquid dripping from my pipette tip?

Dripping can have several possible causes, including problems with the pipette-tip seal, pipette condition, tip fitting, technique or the physical characteristics of the liquid. If the symptom persists, isolate these variables systematically rather than assuming the tip itself is defective.

Can the wrong pipette tip cause inaccurate pipetting?

An unsuitable pipette-tip fit can affect seal integrity and contribute to inconsistent aspiration or dispensing. However, poor pipetting performance can also result from the pipette, operator, liquid or method, so compatibility should be investigated as part of the complete system.

For more detailed guidance, see Why Pipette Tip Fit Matters for Accurate Laboratory Pipetting.

Does a pipette need recalibrating if results become inconsistent?

Not necessarily. Calibration status should be investigated, particularly where a systematic volume error is suspected, but inconsistent results can have many other causes. Technique, tip fit, pipette condition, liquid properties and environmental factors should also be considered.

Why does the same pipette give different results for different users?

Different operators may vary in aspiration speed, immersion depth, pipette handling, dispensing technique or interpretation of the method. Where operator-to-operator variability is significant, laboratories should assess both training and whether the procedure defines critical liquid-handling steps sufficiently clearly.

How often should pipetting technique or training be reassessed?

There is no single interval that suits every laboratory, but technique is worth reassessing whenever a method changes, a new operator joins a workflow, or reproducibility problems recur. Periodic re-training alongside routine calibration helps keep operator technique and instrument performance aligned.

Can compatible pipette tips provide reliable performance?

Compatible tips can be appropriate where suitability for the pipette and intended workflow has been established. Physical attachment alone should not be treated as proof of functional compatibility; functional suitability should be confirmed through repeatability or gravimetric verification rather than visual inspection alone. Laboratories considering different tip strategies can review Universal vs Manufacturer-Specific Pipette Tips – What Scientists Need to Know.

From Troubleshooting to Better Liquid Handling

Pipetting error is rarely explained by one component in isolation.

The most useful diagnostic mindset is to treat liquid handling as an interconnected system in which the pipette, tip, liquid, operator, environment and method all contribute to performance. When inconsistency appears, the objective should be to determine which part of that system has changed or is behaving differently.

This approach prevents unnecessary equipment replacement, avoids changing consumables without evidence and helps laboratories identify weaknesses in methods or training that might otherwise remain hidden.

It also supports better reproducibility. Once the root cause has been identified, the corrective action can be incorporated into laboratory procedures so that the improvement is sustained rather than dependent on individual operator experience.

For laboratories developing a broader understanding of the relationship between consumables, compatibility and liquid handling, The Complete Guide to Pipette Tips, Pipetting Accuracy & Laboratory Liquid Handling provides the wider authority framework.

Need Help Choosing Pipette Tips?

If troubleshooting indicates that pipette-tip fit, compatibility or consumable selection may be contributing to inconsistent liquid handling, LabFriend UK can help laboratories evaluate appropriate options for their existing pipettes and workflows.

You can browse the Laboratory Pipette Tips range or contact LabFriend UK for help identifying suitable pipette-tip options.

The objective should not simply be to change consumables. It should be to identify the source of the problem and select a solution that supports reliable, repeatable laboratory liquid handling.

 

Written by: Donal O’Sullivan, BSc, Co-Founder and Sales Director, LabFriend UK. Donal brings deep chemistry-led technical expertise across analytical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental monitoring, laboratory instrumentation, consumables and scientific product selection.

Reviewed by: Michael Anderson, MBA, Founder and Managing Director, LabFriend UK. Michael reviews LabFriend UK content for customer relevance, commercial accuracy, operational practicality and alignment with LabFriend UK’s laboratory supply model.