NSI Lab Solutions

What NSI Lab Solutions does

NSI Lab Solutions is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based manufacturer and certifier of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) and operator of Proficiency Testing (PT) programs for analytical laboratories, founded in 1982 to run the U.S. EPA reference materials program. The company serves testing laboratories across four regulated verticals — environmental (drinking water, wastewater, soil, hazardous waste, EPA DMRQA), food and agricultural science (pathogens, allergens, nutritional labeling), pharmaceutical quality control (USP 61/62, USP 51, API/excipient purity), and cannabis/hemp (pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, cannabinoids, microbiologicals) — with an in-house inventory of more than 2,500 neat chemicals and proprietary product formats including SNIP™ pre-measured single-use standards and the 13-analyte Universal Wastewater CRM.

The business is anchored by a multi-accreditation quality stack (ISO/IEC 17043:2023 via ANAB AP-1693, ISO 17034:2016, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ISO 9001:2015) with QA acceptance limits reported as 30% more stringent than NELAC standards. Proficiency testing is delivered through the PT Datalink online platform (data entry, NELAC method/technology code drop-downs, downloadable reports, electronic submission to accrediting authorities, 24-hour preliminary results) and the PT Express expedited service (48-hour PT reports for corrective actions, initial accreditation, or analyst validation). Monthly PT studies run continuously across environmental, food, soil/UST, and cannabis matrices, with a 2025 study schedule covering NPW/Wastewater Chemistry and Microbiology, DMRQA, Potable Water, Soil/Hazardous Waste, UST, Food Science, and Hemp/Cannabis.

NSI distributes through direct phone sales (1-800-274-5487 / 1-800-234-7837), its own website, the ZeptoMetrix.com e-commerce platform following a 2024 integration with Antylia Scientific, and a multi-tier channel including Fisher Scientific, VWR Scientific, Thomas Scientific, Fox Scientific, Midland Scientific, plus specialty distributors (Emerald Scientific for cannabis/hemp, Nelson-Jameson for food microbiology, Emport LLC for food gluten) and international partners across 40+ countries. Revenue derives from one-time CRM purchases and recurring PT study subscriptions, with premium pricing on PT Express; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held with 11-50 employees and operates as part of the ZeptoMetrix/Antylia Scientific organization.

Name

NSI Lab Solutions

Legal name

NSI Lab Solutions

Website

https://nsilabsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NSI Lab Solutions manufactures certified reference materials and operates ISO-accredited proficiency testing programs for analytical laboratories in environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and cannabis/hemp testing, distributing globally through major scientific suppliers and 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Reference Materials

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Proficiency Testing Programs & Schemes (Food PT Providers) (AFALAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reference Materials & Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for Food Matrices (AFALAKAD), Matrix-Matched Standards & Spiking Materials (Food Contaminants/Residues) (AFALAKAI), Accreditation Support for ISO/IEC 17025 & PT Participation Compliance (Food Labs) (AFALAKAK), Release Testing & Batch Certification (QC) (HLAGADAC)

Keywords

• Certified reference materials
• Proficiency testing programs
• Analytical standards
• Laboratory quality control
• Microbiological reference cultures

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs): Sale of certified reference materials for environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and cannabis testing. Products include organic analytes, elemental standards, wet chemistry standards, microbiological cultures, and specialized standards. Revenue from one-time product purchases with varying volumes.
2. Proficiency Testing (PT) Programs: ISO 17043 accredited proficiency testing programs including Environmental PT (Drinking Water, Wastewater, Soil), Food Science PT, Cannabis/Hemp PT, and DMRQA studies. Recurring study-based revenue with regular scheduling (monthly studies available).
3. PT Express: Rapid turnaround proficiency testing service for corrective action demonstrations, initial accreditation, or analyst proficiency validation. Premium pricing for 48-hour report generation and electronic submission to accreditation agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

NSI Lab Solutions manufactures and certifies Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) — including organic, inorganic, and microbiological standards — for environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and cannabis testing laboratories. The company also operates ISO 17043-accredited Proficiency Testing (PT) programs covering drinking water, wastewater, soil, food safety, and cannabis matrices, supported by the PT Datalink online reporting platform and accelerated PT Express service.

Product overview

NSI Lab Solutions provides a comprehensive portfolio of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) and Proficiency Testing (PT) programs for laboratory quality control and accreditation support. The company operates a multi-product portfolio organized into four core divisions: Environmental Reference Materials (encompassing Inorganics such as ICP/ICPMS, Ion Chromatography, and Water Chemistry CRMs including SNIP™ Standards; Microbiological products including Single Strain CRMs, Multiplex Cocktail CRMs, Snap-Stick™ Culture Swabs, and Unit Dose™ Cultures; and Organics including single component standards, pesticide residues, and EPA method-specific calibration standards), Food & Agricultural Science Reference Materials (covering allergens, proximates/nutritionals, food microbiology, pesticide residue, and proficiency testing), Pharmaceutical Reference Materials (traceable secondary reference materials and microbiology products for USP compendial testing), and Cannabis & Hemp Reference Materials (pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, terpenes, mycotoxins, potency/cannabinoids, and microbiological testing). Supporting these product lines are proficiency testing services including the PT Datalink online platform, PT Express expedited service, and comprehensive study schedules. All products are manufactured and certified in-house at the company's ISO-accredited facilities. NSI IS NOW INTEGRATED WITH ZEPTOMETRIX.COM.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PT Datalink: Online data entry and management system for proficiency testing results, including simplified data entry screens, drop-down screens for NELAC method and technology codes, downloadable PT reports, and electronic reporting to accrediting authorities.
• PT Express

Products and services

• Environmental Reference Materials (CRMs) Certified Reference Materials for environmental chemistry and microbiology, including organic analytes, elemental standards, wet chemistry standards, coliforms and E. coli CRMs, SNIP™ Standards, Snap-Stick™ culture swabs, and EPA method-specific calibration standards. Intended for environmental testing laboratories performing drinking water, wastewater, soil, and hazardous waste analysis under NELAC and ISO 17043-accredited programs.
• Food & Agricultural Science Reference Materials Certified Reference Materials for food chemistry and microbiology, including proximates and minerals reference materials, pathogen cultures (STEC, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella), microbiological indicator CRMs for Petrifilm and BAM methods, and allergen reference materials. For food testing laboratories, agricultural testing facilities, and cannabis/hemp testing labs.
• Pharmaceutical Reference Materials Traceable Secondary Reference Materials for compendial methods, including excipient compounds and API compounds certified for purity and traceable to pharmacopoeial standards, plus microbiological CRMs (compendial strains for USP 61/62 and USP 51), Snap-Stick™ culture swabs, and Unit Dose™ cultures for pharmaceutical microbiology QC.
• Cannabis & Hemp Reference Materials ISO 17034 Certified Reference Materials for cannabis and hemp testing, covering pesticide residues, residual solvents, heavy metals, terpenes, mycotoxins, potency/cannabinoids (CBDs), and microbiological contaminants. Includes Hemp Chemistry/Microbiological QC CRMs, PT Express – Hemp, and Hemp Proficiency Tests. For cannabis and hemp testing laboratories.
• Proficiency Testing (PT) Programs NELAC and ISO 17043 Accredited Proficiency Testing Programs covering environmental (drinking water, wastewater, soil, UST), food science, nutraceutical, and cannabis matrices. Includes rigorous QA process with analytical validation specifications more stringent than NELAC standards, documented accuracy of formulation, homogeneity testing, and stability documentation. For accredited testing laboratories requiring external proficiency demonstration.
• PT Datalink Online data entry and management platform for proficiency testing results, with simplified on-line data entry and modification screens, drop-down screens for NELAC method and technology codes, downloadable PT reports as PDFs, sorting and monitoring of PT results by methods and analytes, electronic reporting to accrediting authorities, and preliminary results available within 24 hours of study closure. For laboratories enrolled in NSI PT programs.
• PT Express Expedited proficiency testing service for laboratories needing immediate PT results for corrective action demonstrations, initial accreditation, or analyst proficiency verification. Generates PT reports within 48 hours with submission to accreditation agencies included. For laboratories facing tight accreditation or audit deadlines.
• Environmental Wastewater Standards Pre-measured, single-use reference materials and ready-to-use CRMs for wastewater testing, including the Universal Wastewater CRM (13-analyte), Universal Water Microbe Cocktail, Solids CRMs, Chlorine Accuracy Check Standards (SNIP™ format), GGA Concentrate Snips™, pH Buffer Standards, Minerals QC CRM, and 27 Component ICP Standard. For environmental wastewater laboratories, including smaller operations seeking simplified reference material management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero defects in 10+ years: Never issued PT report with inaccurately entered/reported/assigned values, never released sample with inaccurate assigned value, never issued broad-based amendment due to sample problems
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fisher ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor US scientific distributor representing NSI Lab Solutions products. One of the largest distributors of laboratory supplies in North America.
• VWR ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor US scientific distributor representing NSI Lab Solutions products. Major distributor of laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Thomas ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor US scientific distributor representing NSI Lab Solutions products.
• Fox ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS scientific distributor representing NSI Lab Solutions products.
• Midland ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS scientific distributor representing NSI Lab Solutions products.
• Emerald ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized distributor for Cannabis & Hemp Products in the United States. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
• Nelson-Jameson, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized distributor for Food Microbiology CRMs in the United States. Located in Marshfield, WI.
• Emport LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized distributor for Food Chemistry Gluten CRMs & PT in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA.
• PM SeparationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Australia & New Zealand. Locations in Capalaba QLD Australia and Hamilton New Zealand.
• Delta ScientificminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Canada. Located in Mississauga, ON with toll-free number 1-800-387-3256.
• bioTRADING Benelux B.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Located in Mijdrecht, The Netherlands.
• LabMix24 GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Germany & European Union. Located in Hamminkeln, Germany.
• ZeptoMetrix CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSI Lab Solutions has been integrated with ZeptoMetrix.com. Products are now available for ordering through the ZeptoMetrix e-commerce platform. NSI is part of the ZeptoMetrix organization ([email protected]).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Inorganic Ventures: Manufacturer of certified reference materials and calibration standards for inorganic and ionic analysis, directly competing with NSI's ICP/IC and water chemistry CRM lines for the same environmental and industrial lab customers.
• Restek Corporation: Independent manufacturer of chromatography consumables and certified reference standards for environmental, food, and cannabis testing, overlapping with NSI's organics, pesticide residue, and cannabis CRM portfolios.
• AccuStandard: Specialty producer of certified reference materials and calibration standards for environmental, food, cannabis, and forensic testing, competing head-to-head with NSI across multiple CRM categories.
• Spex CertiPrep: Provider of certified reference materials and proficiency testing programs for environmental, food, and clinical laboratories, directly mirroring NSI's combination of CRMs and ISO 17043 PT services.
• Absolute Standards: Manufacturer of certified reference standards and spike solutions for environmental, drinking water, and wastewater testing laboratories, overlapping with NSI's environmental CRM catalogue.
• ERA (a Waters company): Provider of proficiency testing products and certified reference materials for water, wastewater, and soil laboratories; the closest direct peer to NSI's environmental PT and CRM offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Cerilliant (Sigma-Aldrich / Merck): Reference materials brand within Merck's Life Science portfolio offering pharmaceutical, clinical, and forensic certified standards at global scale; competes with NSI's pharmaceutical and reference-grade CRMs from a much broader commercial platform.

Emerging players

• Phenomenex: Chromatography consumables and reference standards supplier serving environmental, food, and cannabis labs; partial overlap with NSI's organics and cannabis CRM lines, primarily through columns and sample prep rather than CRMs.

Others

• Antylia Scientific: Parent/affiliated laboratory consumables and equipment group that has integrated NSI Lab Solutions with ZeptoMetrix, sharing distribution and operational infrastructure that NSI increasingly relies on.
• ZeptoMetrix Corporation: Microbiology quality controls and molecular diagnostics company under the Antylia umbrella whose e-commerce platform now hosts NSI's product catalogue; an ecosystem/sister entity rather than a direct CRM competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nsi-lab-solutions

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NSI Lab Solutions