name: VWR International Vocabulary
description: >-
  Domain vocabulary for VWR International (Avantor) covering laboratory supply
  distribution, eProcurement, life sciences supply chain, and scientific
  equipment terminology.
version: '1.0.0'
created: '2026-05-03'
modified: '2026-05-03'
tags:
  - Distribution
  - Laboratory
  - Life Sciences
  - Procurement

concepts:
  - term: eProcurement
    definition: >-
      Electronic procurement systems that automate the purchasing workflow for
      laboratory supplies. VWR supports multiple eProcurement methods including
      OCI/PunchOut, EDI, and direct catalog integrations with enterprise procurement
      platforms.
    related:
      - PunchOut
      - EDI
      - Purchase Order

  - term: PunchOut Catalog (OCI)
    definition: >-
      An integration standard that allows buyers to access a supplier's product catalog
      directly from their procurement application. OCI (Open Catalog Interface) enables
      real-time pricing, availability, and product search against VWR's catalog from
      within SAP, Coupa, Ariba, or other eProcurement platforms.
    related:
      - eProcurement
      - Catalog

  - term: EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
    definition: >-
      Structured electronic document exchange standard used for transmitting purchase
      orders, order acknowledgments, advance ship notices, and invoices. VWR supports
      EDI transactions including 850 (Purchase Order), 855 (Order Acknowledgment),
      856 (Advanced Ship Notice), and 810 (Invoice).
    related:
      - Purchase Order
      - Invoice

  - term: Laboratory Consumables
    definition: >-
      Single-use or limited-use laboratory items that are regularly replenished,
      including pipette tips, tubes, filters, gloves, bottles, plates, and reagent
      kits. Consumables represent a large share of recurring laboratory procurement.
    related:
      - Laboratory Supplies
      - Reagents

  - term: Reagents
    definition: >-
      Chemical or biological substances used in laboratory reactions, assays, and
      experiments. VWR distributes reagents from major suppliers including Sigma-Aldrich,
      ThermoFisher, and its own VWR brand chemicals.
    related:
      - Laboratory Consumables
      - Life Sciences

  - term: CAS Number
    definition: >-
      Chemical Abstracts Service registry number, a unique numerical identifier
      assigned to chemical substances. CAS numbers are used as primary identifiers
      for chemical products in laboratory catalogs and procurement systems.
    related:
      - Reagents
      - Chemical

  - term: Cold Chain
    definition: >-
      Temperature-controlled supply chain for temperature-sensitive products including
      biological samples, vaccines, cell culture media, and certain reagents. VWR
      provides cold chain logistics services for lab supply delivery.
    related:
      - Distribution
      - Laboratory Supplies

  - term: Catalog Number (Cat No)
    definition: >-
      A unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to each product in VWR's catalog.
      Catalog numbers are used for product ordering, tracking, and integration in
      eProcurement systems.
    related:
      - Laboratory Consumables
      - Procurement

  - term: Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
    definition: >-
      A document providing information on chemical products including hazard identification,
      composition, handling and storage, first aid, and environmental disposal. VWR
      provides SDS documents for all chemical products in compliance with GHS/OSHA
      regulations.
    related:
      - Reagents
      - Compliance

  - term: Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
    definition: >-
      A quality system for non-clinical laboratory studies ensuring data integrity
      and reliability. VWR supplies GLP-compliant products and services for pharmaceutical
      and regulatory testing environments.
    related:
      - Quality
      - Life Sciences