Cryogenic labels maintain sample traceability by remaining legible and adhesive at -196°C — temperatures at which standard adhesive labels detach and standard inks crack or fade. In an IVF laboratory, every straw, cryovial, and cane must carry a unique patient identifier that survives the full storage period, which can span decades under the Health and Care Act 2022’s 55-year limit.
Label types and standards
Brady cryogenic labels — available through Cryolab — use aggressive low-temperature adhesives and are rated for liquid nitrogen immersion. For high-volume operations, 2D barcoded cryovials with laser-etched codes eliminate label detachment risk entirely. HFEA Code of Practice requires that every specimen in cryogenic storage is uniquely identified and its tank location documented, making label failure a compliance risk as well as a patient safety issue.
Cryolab supplies Brady cryogenic labels, printers, and cryovials to IVF clinics and laboratories worldwide. Visit cryolab.co.uk or call 01243 781 121.
