Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Copia Scientific operates both independent and authorized business channels. Refurbishment and certification of pre-owned equipment are performed by Copia Scientific. Through our PlateCentric division, we also maintain authorized relationships with select original equipment manufacturers. Please refer to individual product pages for specific authorization and warranty details.

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) laboratory equipment from Copia Scientific is not simply “used.” It undergoes our proprietary Copia Certification Process (CCP), a structured, multi-step process that includes comprehensive inspection, OEM-grade repairs, replacement of commonly worn components, performance testing, calibration, system optimization, and workflow validation.

Unlike standard used equipment sold “as-is,” Copia CPO instruments are fully tested, validated, and research-ready. Each system is backed by a warranty and supported by our in-house technical team, delivering performance comparable to new systems, at a significantly lower cost.

The result: reliable, validated automation without OEM pricing.

Copia Scientific provides both certified pre-owned and new laboratory automation equipment across a wide range of applications.

Our portfolio includes:

• Liquid handling systems
• Plate-based automation (washers, readers, incubators, sealers, labelers)
• DNA/RNA and molecular workflow instruments
• Robotic and integrated automation platforms
• Legacy and OEM-supported systems
• New lab automation solutions through PlateCentric

We support standalone instruments as well as fully integrated automation workflows, designed to increase throughput, reduce manual intervention, and scale with your lab’s growth.

If your lab runs complex, multi-vendor systems, we can support and integrate them, including existing systems you may have.

Copia Scientific stands behind every system we sell.

• Certified Pre-Owned equipment includes a 180-day warranty.
• Liquid handlers include a 1-year warranty.
• New equipment includes the original manufacturer’s warranty.
• Optional extended coverage is available for up to one year of parts and labor.

In addition, customers gain access to LabSquad, our multi-vendor service and support division. LabSquad provides preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, calibration, validation, embedded service models, and support for legacy or OEM-obsolete systems.

Our goal is simple: maximize uptime and eliminate vendor chaos.

Yes. Copia Scientific delivers end-to-end automation support through our specialized divisions:

AssayGuru provides method development, scripting, optimization, troubleshooting, consumable validation, and application support across major liquid handling platforms.

Lab Integrators designs and implements fully integrated automation workflows, connecting instruments across vendors into streamlined, scalable systems.

Whether you’re repurposing existing equipment or building a new automated workflow, we help improve efficiency, reproducibility, and scalability, without locking you into a single OEM ecosystem.

Buying new equipment isn’t always the smartest investment, especially when budgets are tight and service contracts are inflexible.

Copia Scientific provides a certified, validated, and cost-effective alternative without compromising performance.

What makes us different:

• Certified Pre-Owned equipment backed by CCP validation
• Significant capital savings compared to OEM pricing
• Sustainable solutions that extend instrument lifecycles
• Multi-vendor service contracts under one provider
• Full-system integration across brands
• Method development and workflow optimization support

We don’t just sell instruments, we complete your lab.

With Copia, you gain one partner who can provide equipment, service, integration, and validation across your entire automation ecosystem.

Labs in the United States can typically save 45% compared to new equipment, depending on the instrument type, condition, and level of certification.

Pricing depends on the instrument type, brand, condition, level of refurbishment, included accessories, and availability in the U.S. market.  

Key factors include certification process, warranty coverage, calibration records, service support, software compatibility, and availability of replacement parts within the U.S.

Most certified pre-owned laboratory equipment can be shipped within days to weeks, significantly faster than new equipment, which may have long OEM lead times. 

Yes, many U.S. suppliers offer installation, onboarding, and user training services to ensure smooth integration into your lab workflow.

Yes, many providers offer buyback or trade-in programs, allowing U.S. labs to recover value from surplus or outdated instruments.  

Refurbished lab equipment is widely used in biotech, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics, academic research, and contract testing laboratories across the United States.

Purchasing refurbished equipment reduces electronic waste, extends instrument lifecycles, and supports sustainable lab practices—an increasing priority for U.S. organizations.  

Yes, certified pre-owned instruments can be integrated into existing automation workflows, including multi-vendor environments, with proper validation and method optimization. 

Yes, properly validated and integrated refurbished systems can efficiently handle high-throughput applications in research, diagnostics, and production environments.