Research Use Only (RUO) Policy

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

1. Purpose of This Policy

This Research Use Only (RUO) Policy explains the intended use, legal status, and permissible applications of products sold by Short Chain Labs. It is designed to:

  • Clarify that all products are supplied strictly as research materials, not as therapies or consumables.
  • Reduce the risk of misuse, misrepresentation, or regulatory misunderstanding.
  • Align our operations with U.S. regulatory expectations around RUO products and “intended use.”

This Policy operates in addition to our Terms and Conditions, Compliance & Legal Overview, and Community Guidelines.

2. RUO Designation – What It Means

All products sold by Short Chain Labs are labeled and supplied as “For Research Use Only” (RUO).

In this context:

  • RUO products are chemical or biological materials intended solely for laboratory and scientific research.
  • RUO products are not medical products, are not approved by the FDA for any diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive application, and are not dietary supplements or foods.
  • RUO labeling reflects that the products are not validated for use in diagnosing, treating, curing, or preventing disease in humans or animals.

The RUO designation is not a marketing slogan; it reflects the limited and specific intended use of these products and the legal boundaries under which they are offered.

3. Permitted Uses

Short Chain Labs’ products may be used only for non‑clinical research purposes, including for example:

  • Basic laboratory research in academic, commercial, or institutional settings.
  • In‑vitro experiments, assay development, and method development.
  • Analytical work, including stability testing, characterization, and structure‑activity studies.
  • Research into biological mechanisms, receptor interactions, or chemical pathways.

In all cases, the use must remain within preclinical, non‑diagnostic, and non‑therapeutic research activities.

4. Prohibited Uses

Use of Short Chain Labs’ products in any of the following ways is strictly prohibited:

  1. Human Use or Administration
    • Ingestion, injection, inhalation, transdermal application, or any other route of administration to humans.
    • Use in any clinical, wellness, performance, or aesthetic setting (including self‑experimentation).
  2. Animal Use or Veterinary Applications
    • Administration to animals for treatment, enhancement, or experimental self‑administration outside of approved institutional research protocols.
    • Use as veterinary drugs, feed additives, or supplements.
  3. Diagnostic or Clinical Use
    • Use in any procedure or system intended for diagnosing disease or guiding patient care.
    • Use in tests that inform medical decisions, prognosis, or therapy selection.
  4. Drug, Biologic, or Supplement Manufacturing
    • Incorporation into finished drugs, biologics, dietary supplements, or consumer products.
    • Use as an active ingredient in any product marketed for therapeutic, preventive, cosmetic, or performance‑enhancing purposes.
  5. Marketing or Representation as Safe for Human Use
    • Advertising, promoting, or describing RUO products as safe, effective, or appropriate for human or animal consumption.
    • Using Short Chain Labs’ products or branding to imply that they can be used as alternatives to prescription therapy or medical supervision.

Any use outside of the RUO scope is unauthorized, at the user’s own risk, and may be unlawful.

5. Regulatory Context and Intended Use

Regulators such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluate a product’s “intended use” based on the totality of circumstances, including labeling, advertising, customer communications, and actual use—not just a disclaimer.

Consistent with that principle:

  • Short Chain Labs labels and markets its products strictly as RUO and avoids any implication of medical or therapeutic use.
  • Short Chain Labs does not claim that its products are safe or effective for human or animal use.
  • Short Chain Labs expects customers to use products only in lawful, research‑appropriate ways under applicable federal, state, and institutional rules.

Misusing RUO products (for example, in clinical settings or as consumer products) can create regulatory exposure for the user and does not change the RUO status of the products.

6. Customer Eligibility and Acknowledgments

By purchasing from Short Chain Labs, you represent, warrant, and agree that:

  • You are at least 21 years of age and legally able to enter into binding contracts.
  • You are a researcher, laboratory, institution, or other professional with sufficient knowledge and facilities to handle RUO materials safely.
  • You will use all products only for non‑clinical, laboratory research and in accordance with this Policy and applicable law.
  • You will not use products for human or animal administration or clinical diagnostics.
  • You will ensure that all personnel who handle the products are properly trained and informed of these restrictions.

You understand and agree that Short Chain Labs does not monitor or control how you use products once they are delivered, but any deviation from the RUO limitations is your sole responsibility.

7. Labeling, Warnings, and Documentation

Short Chain Labs endeavors to maintain clear and consistent labeling and documentation to support RUO status, including:

  • Product labels, website listings, and invoices that clearly state “For Research Use Only” and “Not for human or animal use.”
  • Avoidance of dosage instructions, administration protocols, or clinical benefit claims.
  • Technical data and, where applicable, certificates of analysis (COAs) that focus on research‑relevant attributes (identity, purity, etc.) rather than therapeutic claims.

However:

  • RUO labeling does not authorize or excuse misuse of the products.
  • RUO labeling is not a shield from regulatory scrutiny if products are handled, marketed, or used as if they were approved drugs or therapies.

8. Customer Responsibilities and Compliance

Customers are responsible for ensuring that their use of Short Chain Labs’ products complies with:

  • All applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations (e.g., FDA, DEA, OSHA, state boards).
  • Institutional policies, internal protocols, and ethics or safety committee requirements.
  • Any requirements for storage, recordkeeping, inventory control, and disposal of research chemicals.

Customers must:

  • Maintain clear segregation of RUO materials from any clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic supplies.
  • Establish internal rules so staff understand that Short Chain Labs’ products are not to be used on humans or animals.
  • Seek independent legal or regulatory advice where necessary; Short Chain Labs does not provide legal or medical guidance.

9. No Warranties for Clinical or Consumer Use

Short Chain Labs makes no representation or warranty that its products are:

  • Safe, effective, or appropriate for any human or animal exposure.
  • Suitable for use as active ingredients in drugs, biologics, supplements, or cosmetics.
  • Validated for any diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical application.

All warranties are limited to those stated in our Terms and Conditions, and specifically exclude any clinical or consumer‑facing context.

10. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification (RUO‑Specific)

In addition to the limitations in our Terms and Conditions, you acknowledge and agree that:

  • Short Chain Labs shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, regulatory action, or other consequences arising from:
    • Use of RUO products in humans or animals.
    • Use of RUO products in clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic applications.
    • Incorporation of RUO products into finished products intended for sale or use as drugs, biologics, or supplements.
  • You will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Short Chain Labs, its owners, officers, employees, and affiliates from any claims, penalties, or damages arising from your misuse or non‑compliant use of RUO products, including any use outside the scope of this Policy or applicable law.

This includes, without limitation, claims by third parties, regulators, or patients that are based in whole or in part on your handling, marketing, or deployment of RUO products.

11. Enforcement and Order Screening

Short Chain Labs reserves the right to implement measures to encourage compliance with this RUO Policy, including:

  • Reviewing orders for patterns that suggest consumer or clinical use (e.g., repeated small orders to residential addresses combined with certain communications).
  • Requesting clarification or additional information about intended use, institutional affiliation, or professional status.
  • Refusing, canceling, or limiting orders that appear inconsistent with RUO status or present elevated regulatory risk.
  • Terminating customer accounts or restricting future sales where misuse is suspected or confirmed.

Short Chain Labs may also cooperate with appropriate authorities if it becomes aware of unlawful or unsafe use of its products.

12. Relationship to Other Policies

This RUO Policy should be read together with:

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Compliance & Legal Overview
  • Privacy Policy
  • Community Guidelines

If any conflict arises between this Policy and the Terms and Conditions, the Terms and Conditions govern the contractual relationship between you and Short Chain Labs. This RUO Policy specifically governs intended use and compliance expectations for our products.

13. Updates to This Policy

Short Chain Labs may update this RUO Policy to reflect evolving regulatory guidance, enforcement trends, or internal risk management practices.

  • The Effective Date at the top of this page indicates the latest revision.
  • Material updates may be highlighted on the website or communicated through other reasonable means.

Your continued purchase or use of products after an update constitutes your acceptance of the revised RUO Policy.