Chromatography workflows rely not only on instrument performance but also on the quality and cleanliness of sample containment. This white paper examines the structure, materials, and sealing technologies of chromatography vials—including screw, crimp, and snap formats—and evaluates how caps, septa, and inserts influence contamination control and injection reproducibility. With the increasing adoption of high-sensitivity LCMS and GCMS systems, vial cleanliness has become essential for minimizing background interference from metal ions, siloxanes, and extractables. The paper further outlines best practices for reducing contamination during sample handling, provides application-specific vial selection guidelines for HPLC, GC, LCMS, headspace, and trace analysis, and reviews packaging requirements for global laboratory workflows. Insights into future trends such as bonded caps, low-extractable materials, automation-ready designs, and digital identification technologies highlight the evolving role of vials in ensuring reliable analytical results.
