Short Chain Labs
Website: www.ShortChainLabs.com
Effective Date: 5/1/2026

1. Purpose of This Overview

This Compliance & Legal Overview explains how Short Chain Labs operates as a research‑only supplier of peptides and related materials, and how our business model is aligned with applicable U.S. regulatory frameworks. It is intended for customers, regulators, financial institutions, and other stakeholders who need clarity about the intended use of our products, our labeling practices, and our safeguards against misuse.

This document does not replace our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, or other binding policies, which should be read together with this overview.

2. Company Role and Business Model

Short Chain Labs operates exclusively as a research chemical supplier and e‑commerce retailer of Research Use Only (RUO) peptides. The company:

  • Is not a pharmacy, compounding facility, medical practice, telehealth provider, or dietary supplement company.
  • Does not manufacture, prescribe, dispense, or promote products for human or veterinary treatment.
  • Markets and sells products solely for laboratory research, analytical, and in‑vitro applications, subject to the restrictions described below.

Short Chain Labs does not engage in clinical services, does not provide medical guidance, and does not participate in or direct clinical decision‑making.

3. Intended Use of Products – Research Use Only

All products sold by Short Chain Labs are designated and supplied as Research Use Only (RUO) materials. This means:

  • Products are intended for laboratory research and analytical use only, including in‑vitro experiments, assay development, and other non‑clinical research activities.
  • Products are not intended for:
    • Human consumption, injection, inhalation, topical application, or any other route of administration.
    • Animal consumption, injection, or veterinary use.
    • Diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease.
    • Use in foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, or any product regulated as a drug, biologic, device, or cosmetic under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

Use of Short Chain Labs products in any clinical, medical, or therapeutic setting is strictly prohibited.

4. RUO Classification and FDA Alignment

Short Chain Labs’ products are offered as RUO materials and are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventive use. In keeping with RUO classification and regulatory expectations:

  • Products are labeled and marketed to reflect research‑only use and are not positioned as drugs or medical treatments.
  • Short Chain Labs does not make claims of safety, efficacy, or clinical benefit, and does not describe dosing, administration, or treatment protocols.
  • Products are not intended for use in clinical investigations, human subjects research, or diagnostic applications that fall under FDA’s device or drug regulations unless separately and lawfully validated and authorized by the responsible institution.

This approach is intended to ensure that products are not mischaracterized as approved therapies or supplements and to avoid misbranding or adulteration issues under the FD&C Act.

5. Labeling, Warnings, and Documentation

To support regulatory clarity and safe handling, RUO products are labeled and described with clear restrictions. Typical labels, documentation, and product descriptions include statements such as:

  • “For Research Use Only”
  • “Not for Human or Animal Use”
  • “Not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical applications”

In addition:

  • Short Chain Labs does not provide dosing instructions, administration guidance, or medical usage recommendations.
  • Product documentation focuses on technical and analytical information appropriate to laboratory research, such as identity, concentration, and certificate‑of‑analysis (COA) data, where applicable.
  • COAs or related analytical documentation may be provided to support verification of purity and identity for research purposes, not to support therapeutic claims.

Customers are encouraged to maintain their own internal records and quality systems suitable for their research environment.

6. Qualified Purchasers and User Responsibilities

Short Chain Labs’ catalog is intended for laboratories, institutions, qualified professionals, and knowledgeable researchers who understand the nature and risks of handling research chemicals and peptides.

By purchasing from Short Chain Labs, customers represent and warrant that they:

  • Are at least 21 years of age and legally competent to enter into binding agreements.
  • Are authorized within their organization or jurisdiction to purchase, possess, and use research materials.
  • Have the necessary training, facilities, and safety protocols to handle peptides and related compounds responsibly (e.g., appropriate PPE, ventilation, storage, and disposal procedures).
  • Will use products only in compliance with all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws and regulations, including chemical safety, controlled substance, and research compliance rules.

Customers accept full responsibility for determining whether a specific product is suitable and lawful for their intended research application before purchase and use.

7. Prohibited Uses and Misuse

To minimize legal and safety risks, the following uses are expressly prohibited:

  • Any human or animal administration, ingestion, injection, inhalation, or other exposure for non‑research purposes.
  • Use of products in clinical care, wellness, aesthetic, or telehealth settings for diagnosis or treatment of patients.
  • Compounding, repackaging, or repurposing products as drugs, dietary supplements, or cosmetics.
  • Promotion or resale of products as suitable for bodybuilding, performance enhancement, weight loss, anti‑aging, or other consumer‑facing treatment purposes.
  • Use of products in violation of the FD&C Act, the Controlled Substances Act, or applicable state and international regulations.

Short Chain Labs disclaims responsibility for any misuse or unlawful use of its products. Any user who employs products outside of RUO parameters does so entirely at their own risk and assumes all resulting liability.

8. Order Review, Monitoring, and Enforcement

Short Chain Labs maintains internal controls to help ensure that products are used consistently with their RUO designation. These measures may include:

  • Reviewing orders for indications of non‑research use (e.g., shipping to consumer addresses combined with non‑institutional email patterns or correspondence suggesting human administration).
  • Requesting clarification, institutional documentation, or additional information where the intended use appears ambiguous.
  • Refusing or canceling orders that appear inconsistent with research purposes or with applicable regulations.
  • Restricting, suspending, or terminating customer accounts where misuse is suspected or confirmed.

Short Chain Labs may cooperate with appropriate regulatory or law enforcement authorities if it becomes aware of unlawful use of its products.

9. Customer Compliance and Indemnification

Customers are solely responsible for regulatory compliance in connection with their purchase, possession, and use of Short Chain Labs’ products. This includes:

  • Ensuring that all required institutional approvals, ethics reviews, or internal compliance checks are obtained before commencing research.
  • Confirming that a given peptide is lawful for the specific research context (e.g., whether its use is restricted, controlled, or subject to special registration).
  • Managing their own health, safety, and environmental obligations related to storage, handling, and disposal.

By using the site and purchasing products, customers agree to indemnify and hold harmless Short Chain Labs and its affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, or regulatory actions arising from misuse, unlawful use, or non‑compliant use of products, as further described in the Terms and Conditions.

10. No Medical Advice or Patient‑Facing Services

Short Chain Labs does not provide:

  • Medical, pharmaceutical, or therapeutic advice.
  • Guidance on prescribing, dosing, compounding, or administering peptides to patients.
  • Services related to patient care, disease diagnosis, or wellness treatment programs.

Any information on the website, including product descriptions and technical resources, is intended solely for scientific and research informational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical judgment or regulatory counsel.

Healthcare providers, clinics, and wellness practices considering peptides for patient use must obtain their own legal and regulatory advice and must not rely on a research supplier’s materials to justify clinical use.

11. Interaction with Financial Institutions and Service Providers

This overview is also intended to provide transparency to banks, payment processors, and other service providers that interface with Short Chain Labs. Key points for such stakeholders:

  • Short Chain Labs operates under a research‑only business model and does not sell peptides for human consumption.
  • Marketing, labeling, and documentation are structured to avoid therapeutic claims and to emphasize laboratory use only.
  • The company maintains policies that prohibit misuse and allows order review, account restriction, and cooperation with authorities when warranted.

Service providers with specific compliance questions may request additional documentation or policy copies using the contact details below.

12. Relationship to Other Policies

This Compliance & Legal Overview works alongside, and does not replace, other Short Chain Labs policies, including:

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping & Returns Policy
  • Any Research Use Policy or similar product‑specific disclosures

In the event of any conflict between this overview and the Terms and Conditions, the Terms and Conditions govern the legal relationship between Short Chain Labs and its customers.

13. Updates to This Overview

Regulatory expectations and market conditions for peptides and research chemicals continue to evolve. Short Chain Labs may update this Compliance & Legal Overview periodically to reflect:

  • Changes in applicable law or regulatory guidance.
  • Adjustments to the company’s internal controls, labeling practices, or customer vetting processes.
  • Clarifications requested by customers, regulators, or financial institutions.

The “Effective Date” above will be updated when material changes are made. Continued use of the website after updates signifies acknowledgment of the revised overview.

14. Contact Information

Questions regarding this Compliance & Legal Overview, RUO classification, or related legal and regulatory matters may be directed to:

Short Chain Labs
Website: www.ShortChainLabs.com