BRD Lab038-439 -80 °C polyester PET color-coded classification labels were recently successfully applied at the Yunxi County Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Yunxi County Health Inspection Institute), Shiyan City, Hubei Province, marking further expansion of BRD cryogenic labels in primary-level CDC institutions.
I. Application Requirements
The Yunxi County CDC routinely handles large volumes of low-temperature specimens such as serum, nucleic acid, and pathogenic microorganisms. Due to the wide variety of specimen types and complex batches, fast and accurate classification and identification of specimens is key to improving work efficiency.
II. Solution
BRD provided Lab038-439 -80 °C polyester PET color-coded classification labels for this project. The labels feature the following:
Excellent low-temperature resistance: The labels maintain adhesion long-term at -80 °C, suitable for specimen identification in ultra-low temperature freezers.
Multiple colors: Available in red, yellow, blue, green, white and other colors for classification management by specimen type or batch.
Clear printing: Printed with matching ribbon, barcodes and text remain clear and durable for scanning and identification.
III. Results
Since deployment, specimen classification management efficiency at the Yunxi County CDC has improved noticeably, and the error rate in specimen retrieval and verification has dropped significantly.
IV. Service Value
BRD will continue to address the needs of primary-level public health institutions, providing cost-effective domestic label products and timely technical service to support capacity building in primary-level disease control.
Related Compliance Standards
Specimen classification and identification at CDC facilities is carried out with reference to the laboratory quality requirements of ISO 17025:2017 and ISO 15189:2022, and specimen traceability meets the ISO 20387:2018 specification.
Featured Products
For the label materials and application scenarios covered in this article, the following BRD products are available for selection reference (click to view specifications and request a quote):
- T629 biobank -196 °C nylon cloth low-temperature-resistant test tube biological sample bank clinical sampling LN₂ label (¥999/roll)
- Lab263-319/45x95mm laboratory cryovial microscope slide biological sample bank label low-temperature adhesive BRD (Price on request)
- Lab096-329-.6-OR-80x60mm biological sample bank color-coded classification identification low-temperature LN₂ label BRD (Price on request)
- Lab096-329-600-RD/80x60mm biological sample bank color-coded classification identification low-temperature LN₂ label BRD (Price on request)
FAQ
Q: How do color-coded classification labels help with specimen classification management?
Colors quickly distinguish specimen type, source, or testing status, reducing manual verification time and lowering the risk of misretrieval and misplacement—especially suitable for testing institutions with large specimen volumes.
Q: What conditions must CDC specimen labels withstand?
They must withstand low-temperature freezing, disinfectant wiping, and friction and temperature changes during transport. Label face stock and adhesive should be validated for the corresponding durability.
Q: What color scheme is recommended for color-coded labels?
Choose high-contrast color combinations with clear color differences to avoid confusion between similar colors; the meaning of each color must be documented in writing and fully trained.
Standard Practice for Specimen Classification Coding at Primary-Level CDC Facilities
CDC facilities handle many specimen types in dense batches, and relying on memory alone is highly error-prone. A three-in-one identification method of "color zoning + text + barcode" is recommended, with a unified color–category reference table established and documented as a written standard.
| Color | Suggested category | Usage notes |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Highly pathogenic/high-risk pathogen specimens | Consistent with biosafety warning colors for quick identification |
| Yellow | Pending/in-transit specimens | Indicates transfer status, reducing errors and omissions |
| Green | Tested negative/routine specimens | Distinguishes test result status |
| Blue | QC/reference standard specimens | Physically segregated from clinical specimens |
The color scheme must ensure clear color differences, no fading after low-temperature freezing and disinfectant wiping, and full training for all operators.
Compliance Requirements for CDC Laboratory Identification
Specimen identification in CDC laboratories must meet both laboratory quality and biosafety requirements. For laboratory quality, refer to ISO 15189:2022 requirements for medical laboratory specimen identification and traceability; for long-term biological sample preservation, refer to ISO 20387:2018; for biosafety, comply with the Regulations on the Biosafety Management of Pathogenic Microorganism Laboratories and health industry standards such as WS 233 regarding specimen transport and identification. Labels themselves should withstand disinfectant wiping, low-temperature freezing, and transport friction.
Labeling Quality Control and Full-Cycle Specimen Traceability
A closed-loop labeling quality control process is recommended: verify specimen number before labeling → scan and read back for verification after labeling → spot-check and re-scan after freezing → scan and record at check-in/check-out. Through LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System), bind specimen number, test items, storage location, and operator actions to achieve full traceability from collection to testing to disposal. As specimen volumes at primary-level CDC facilities grow year by year, standardized identification is the most direct means of improving efficiency and reducing errors.
Common Issues in Specimen Management at Primary-Level CDC Facilities
Specimen management at primary-level CDC facilities generally faces three types of problems: first, many specimen types in dense batches create heavy manual verification workloads and are error-prone; second, complex cold-chain and freezing conditions mean labels can fail due to low temperature, condensation, and disinfectant wiping; third, frequent staff turnover and the lack of unified identification standards lead to inconsistent operations. These issues directly affect specimen transfer efficiency and the reliability of test results.
The Role of Labels Throughout the CDC Specimen Workflow
| Stage | Label function |
|---|---|
| Sampling registration | On-site numbering, quick verification, error and omission prevention |
| Laboratory testing | Color zoning, status identification, confusion prevention |
| Specimen storage | Low-temperature durability, location mapping, quick retrieval |
| Transfer and transport | Identity retention, scan records, full traceability |
Dual Requirements of Disinfectant Wiping and Low-Temperature Freezing
CDC laboratory labels must also withstand the dual challenge of "disinfectant wiping + low-temperature freezing": disinfectants (such as 75% alcohol and chlorine-based disinfectants) attack the face stock and adhesive layer, while low temperatures accelerate face stock embrittlement. Therefore, when selecting labels, both low-temperature performance and chemical resistance must be verified. Polyester (PET) or polyimide (PI) face stock is preferred, and barcode readability testing after disinfectant wiping should be performed.
From Identification Standards to Laboratory Quality Improvement
Standardized identification is a low-cost entry point for quality improvement at primary-level CDC laboratories. Unified color coding, unified labeling procedures, and unified scan verification can significantly reduce specimen error rates, shorten retrieval time, and lay the specimen management foundation for subsequent laboratory accreditation (such as ISO 15189). Though small, labels are the bridge connecting on-site operations and data quality.
Replicability of Identification Standards at Primary-Level CDC Facilities
Identification standards at primary-level CDC facilities are replicable: unified color coding, labeling procedures, and scan verification can be promoted to peer institutions at low cost. Standardized label management experience can serve as part of capacity building for primary-level laboratories, raising regional specimen management levels overall.