UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory’s Client Data Confidentiality and Delineation of Responsibility Policy.  

The University of Connecticut Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory (SNAL) provides testing and analytical services for a wide range of users. These include UConn faculty and staff, Extension educators, and researchers across the university, as well as farmers, gardeners, consultants, agencies, and commercial businesses in Connecticut and beyond. Many of these clients pay a fee for the analyses and, in return, retain full ownership and control of their individual test results. 

Test reports and associated interpretations are treated as confidential information. SNAL will not share a client’s data with third parties unless the client has given explicit consent to do so. The laboratory may use sample results in a summarized or educational form (for example, in anonymous summaries, presentations, or example reports), but only after removing names, addresses, and any other information that could identify the client. 

SNAL’s role is to provide impartial, scientifically sound analyses for all clients, including public agencies and private entities. The lab follows established analytical methods and operates under documented quality control and quality assurance procedures to help ensure that reported values accurately reflect the condition of the samples upon arrival at the laboratory. 

In almost all cases, SNAL staff do not collect the samples themselves and are not responsible for how samples are handled, stored, or transported prior to delivery. Those steps are the responsibility of the client or their representative, and improper sampling or handling may affect the results. A more detailed description of the respective responsibilities for sampling, handling, delivery, analysis, and reporting is provided in the laboratory’s Quality Assurance Plan, available upon request.