Waters recommends performing a benchmarking test upon receipt of a column and throughout the lifetime usage.  An example of this is using the MassPREP Oligonucleotide Standard as shown in the figure.  By using a separation similar to your analysis with an appropriate method, you can:

• Verify the performance of your column upon receipt
• Monitor the condition of the columns for extended use
• Gain confidence in data gathered from a verified column
• Troubleshoot separation difficulties that may arise

Waters manufacturing and quality control testing procedures help ensure consistent batch-to-batch and column-to-column performance regardless of application demands.  Each standard is batch tested with the same functional specification test and column on relevant systems.  If it is an LC standard, you can bet we test it on our LC systems.