Welcome to the Team – Abby Korman
Beth Mack • January 12, 2023
We are excited to welcome Abby Korman to the Bird Dog Laboratories Team as Director of Laboratory Development. Abby’s previous experience as a Product Development Project Manager with Berry Global, Inc. will be invaluable as we grow our package testing capabilities and expand our market penetration. Bird Dog Laboratories is ISO 17025 Accredited to perform USP <671> testing for the functional properties of packaging systems used for pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. Please contact Abby at akorman@birddoglaboratories.com with questions about your organization’s container performance testing needs and connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-korman-5b75aa60/ You can learn more at www.birddoglaboratories.com.
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In regulated industries, many laboratories can generate data. Fewer can generate confidence . The difference between a good laboratory and a great laboratory is not just technical competence - it is consistency, customer partnership, speed, and a relentless focus on quality. Here is what truly separates the two. What Makes a Good Laboratory? A good laboratory: Performs testing according to established methods Meets basic regulatory requirements Provides accurate and defensible data Delivers results within standard industry timelines Maintains functional communication Good laboratories do what they are supposed to do. But great laboratories go far beyond that. What Makes a Great Laboratory? A great laboratory: Is independently accredited (e.g., ISO 17025) Operates with validated systems and documented traceability Prioritizes rapid, reliable turnaround times Proactively communicates with clients Acts as a strategic partner - not just a testing vendor Understands the regulatory impact of every data point Great laboratories do not just produce results - they reduce risk, accelerate timelines, and create confidence for their customers. Why Bird Dog Laboratories is a Great Laboratory ISO 17025 Accredited - The Gold Standard Bird Dog Laboratories is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited - the internationally recognized standard for laboratory competence. ISO 17025 accreditation means: Validated and controlled methods Demonstrated technical competency Measurement traceability Strict quality management systems Ongoing external audits This is not self-claimed quality. It has verified excellence. Specialized Expertise in Critical USP Standards Bird Dog Laboratories focuses on highly specialized and compliance-critical testing, including: USP 671 - Moisture Vapor Transmission for packaging performance USP 661.2 - Plastic Packaging Systems for Pharmaceutical Use USP 643 - Total Organic Carbon (TOC) These are not routine, commodity tests. They are essential to pharmaceutical and packaging compliance, regulatory submissions, and product stability. A great laboratory understands the regulatory impact behind each test and Bird Dog Laboratories operates with that awareness every day. Speed Without Sacrificing Quality One of the most significant differentiators of a great laboratory is turnaround time. Bird Dog Laboratories is built around operational efficiency - delivering: Faster scheduling Streamlined sample intake Clear project timelines Proactive communication In industries where delays can impact production schedules or regulatory submissions, quicker turnaround is not a luxury - it is a competitive advantage. Advanced Testing Beyond Standard USP Methods Great laboratories expand their capabilities to solve real-world problems. Bird Dog Laboratories also provides: Torque degradation studies Back ratchet testing Life cycle studies These services help manufacturers evaluate packaging integrity, functionality, and long-term performance - reducing field failures and ensuring product reliability. Rather than simply performing required tests, Bird Dog Laboratories helps clients anticipate risk and design better systems. Customer Service as a Core Competency Many laboratories focus solely on data. Bird Dog Laboratories focuses on people. Clients' experience: Direct access to technical experts Responsive communication Clear explanations of results Partnership throughout the testing life cycle A great laboratory understands that behind every sample submission is a regulatory deadline, a product launch, or a business objective. Bird Dog Laboratories aligns its service with those realities. The Bottom Line A good laboratory delivers results. A great laboratory delivers: Confidence Compliance assurance Speed Expertise Partnership Bird Dog Laboratories embodies what it means to be a great laboratory: ISO 17025 accredited, technically specialized, customer-focused, and built for efficiency. In today's regulatory environment, excellence is not optional - it is essential. And great laboratories do not just test products. They protect brands. If you have any questions regarding your required regulations - call Bird Dog Laboratories at 1-800-774-6061 or email mperkins@birddogmarketinggroup.com.
Do You Understand USP <661.2> and Why It's Crucial for Packaging in the Pharmaceutical Industry?
Product Stability Depends on the Quality of Your Container-Closure Seal.
Do You Understand USP <661.2> and Why It's Crucial for Packaging in the Pharmaceutical Industry?
Moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) testing is crucial for textiles, packaging, and construction industries, especially moisture-sensitive materials. Here are the top five reasons for conducting MVTR testing: 1. Product Quality Assurance: MVTR testing helps ensure that products prone to damage from moisture, such as pharmaceuticals and food packaging, maintain their quality during storage and transportation. 2. Material Selection: MVTR testing aids in selecting the most appropriate packaging materials or product barriers by assessing their resistance to moisture permeation. It ensures that the chosen materials provide adequate protection against moisture ingress. 3. Regulatory Compliance: In many industries, such as pharmaceuticals and food packaging, stringent regulatory requirements regarding moisture protection are in place. MVTR testing is a powerful tool that helps these industries not just meet, but exceed, regulatory standards, ensuring full compliance with relevant regulations. 4. Extended Shelf Life: Controlling moisture transmission is critical for extending the shelf life of perishable products. By determining the MVTR of packaging materials, manufacturers can design packaging that effectively prevents moisture ingress, thereby prolonging the shelf life of products. 5. Cost Reduction: The practical benefits of understanding the MVTR of packaging materials are not to be underestimated. It can lead to substantial cost savings by optimizing material usage. By selecting materials with appropriate moisture barrier properties, manufacturers can significantly reduce the risk of product spoilage or damage, thereby minimizing losses associated with returns or wastage. MVTR testing is not just good practice; it’s essential for maintaining product quality, meeting regulatory standards, extending shelf life, and optimizing costs in industries where moisture control is critical. Contact Abby Korman, Director of Laboratory Development, at akorman@birddoglaboratories.com to learn more about MVTR testing services at Bird Dog Laboratories.
Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) testing is a crucial process that ensures a product’s quality and durability remain intact, even when exposed to various environmental factors. This test is particularly significant in industries such as textiles, packaging, and construction, where the performance of materials under different conditions is paramount. USP 671 is a test that measures the rate at which water passes through material. It ensures materials perform as expected in various environmental conditions. The better the MVTR of a barrier material, the better it prevents moisture ingress. Bird Dog Laboratories, with its team of experienced technicians and specialized equipment, is well-equipped to handle the complex MVTR testing process, instilling confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the results. MVTR Testing results are not just crucial for understanding material behavior in different environmental conditions, but also for ensuring product quality and durability. This testing is valuable at every stage of the design process, from the Unit/Pilot Phase to the finalized production tooling, and even when there are functional changes within the package. Once the testing is complete, Bird Dog Laboratories will prepare a report of the findings and a package classification. The experts at Bird Dog Laboratories are here to help ensure your packaging is ready to take your product to market successfully. Contact Abby Korman, Director of Laboratory Development at akorman@birddoglaboratories.com to learn more about our testing capabilities.
