Ordering

Strains of the VTT public culture collection are accessible to customers under the general conditions concerning the delivery and use of the strains, VTT Material Transfer Agreement, if necessary amended with additional conditions already attached to the biological material. Customer accepts the terms and conditions of VTT Material Transfer Agreement by placing an order to VTT. The customer should be a competent legal entity, established under the laws and regulations obliged to it.

VTT requires that you send your first order with your legally binding signature, giving full detailed information of the name of the organization, its postal address, telephone and fax numbers and the name of the contact person. With the first delivery the customer number will be given. Orders can be sent using the order form (MS Word).

Orders for cultures will be accepted by letter, e-mail or fax and should be addressed to:

DELIVERY CONDITIONS

Depending on the order and the strain the cultures are delivered as freeze-dried ampoules or as active cultures on solid media or in broth. Other delivery methods shall be agreed separately by VTT and the customer. Shipments comply with international regulations concerning transport of biological material. Therefore, shipments to certain destinations may be subject to an additional surcharge and deliveries to some destinations cannot be undertaken. It is the responsibility of the customer to check the import regulations for the species ordered. Delivery of freeze-dried cultures usually takes place by normal mail and delivery of active cultures by a courier. Shipment of strains belonging to biohazard group 2 will be shipped by courier only. VTT assumes no liability for damage or injuries resulting from transportation. Transportation insurance can be agreed on separately on the customer's request and expense.

PRICES AND INVOICING

For prices of our services, click here. For new customers the invoices are mailed or faxed after ordering and the strain is delivered after the payment has been recognized. For established customers the invoices are mailed after delivery.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REVIVING FREEZE-DRIED CULTURES

VTT cultures are freeze-dried in Pyrex glass ampoules. Heat the neck of the ampoule moderately above a flame, place the neck in a horizontal position on ice (or drop water onto the hot neck) to crack the glass, strike off the neck (wrap paper around the neck and break or use an appropriate tool), aseptically add 1-2 ml sterile water with a Pasteur pipette, mix well and transfer to a suitable solid or liquid medium. Filamentous fungi must be soaked for 30 minutes in a sterile Petri dish before addition of molten agar. Allow sufficient time (2-3 weeks) for spores to germinate, to compensate for a possible delay. Growth conditions, as informed by the depositor, are included.

DISCLAIMER

The recipient assumes all risks and responsibility related with the safe storage, handling and use of the received strains. VTT is not liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from misidentification or misrepresentation of strains or any damages arising from the use of the strains. VTT does not grant any warranty for strains, expressed or implied, including but not limited to non-infringement third party rights.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints about contamination or non-viability can be accepted only if they reach VTT Culture Collection within thirty (30) days after the date of dispatch for active cultures or sixty (60) days after the date of dispatch for lyophilized cultures and presupposing that the instructions for revival and cultivation have been followed properly.