In this article you will everything you need to know about your eDNA kits & tests order:

How to place an order

Purchase our eDNA kits & tests (with standard reporting) directly from our eDNA store, simply login using your details from the NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform. Please note: If you wish to purchase Great crested newt (for UK licensing) products, these are available only via our Portal.

Note: The following products are not currently available in the store: Bacteria (freshwater and marine water), Butternut (Juglans cinerea) and our x9 filter kits for the DOT-NM autosampler. All products placed via the store include our standard reporting and are shipped using standard logistics (cold storage options are not available via the store). If you wish to purchase these products or our advanced Insights reporting get in touch with our team.

What we need from you

After placing your order, you'll be informed when your kits have been shipped. Before starting fieldwork, please ensure all the items below have been actioned:

Surveying permits

Consult your local authority or relevant landowners to ensure you have the necessary permits or permission to take samples in your survey area.

Export paperwork

Ensure you have the necessary export permits and paperwork in place, to allow your samples to be shipped out of the country in which they were taken. NatureMetrics handles the shipping of samples back to our labs, but we are unable to assist with export permits. Without export permits in place, we are unable to ship your samples to our labs.

Kit Instructions (protocols)

It's really important that all those engaged in fieldwork are familiar with how to use our kits, before they head out to the field. Our kit instructions provide critical information, including how to store and package your samples correctly, to preserve your eDNA in the best possible way. View all kit instructions here.

Sampling strategies for aquatic environments

Additionally find more information about surveying ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, seas and oceans, plus info on control samples and avoiding contamination in our advice note.

Sample manifest

This is one of the most important documents in your eDNA journey. We cannot start processing your samples until your sample manifest is completed. The sample manifest is an excel metadata sheet that is sent to you via email along with the shipping notification for your kits.

All field workers must familiarize themselves with the sample manifest, so they understand the data that needs to be recorded while sampling. This data is vital in ensuring that we process your samples correct and provide you with the right test (assay) results, insights and metrics.

For each sample taken please include:

Lat / long location data
Sampling country
Habitat
Number of sub-samples taken to make up the sample
Volume of water filtered (if working with aquatic kits)
Tests to be run on the sample

If you cannot find your sample manifest, please request one here.

Contact NatureMetrics to collect your samples

Once you have collected all your samples and the sample manifest has been completed, please contact NatureMetrics to arrange the shipping of your samples to our labs. Please do not ship samples yourself. We will manage the shipping process, to ensure samples reach us in the fastest, most efficient way possible.

Please note: all samples related to your order must be shipped to our labs within 12 months of placing your order.

Guide to getting the best eDNA results

Get the very best results possible. Read our guide to avoid inconclusive results.

Accessing your results

Find how to access your reports and data here.