Purpose and Context
Helium is an essential and historically unpredictable resource for laboratories utilizing (GC) and GC/MS methodologies. While laboratories have long managed supply constraints through conservation,
efficiency initiatives, and supplier diversification, recent global events have materially intensified
existing pressures on the helium market.

Current geopolitical instability has increased disruption risks in key production and transshipment
regions, tightened supplier allocations, and accelerated cost escalation in an already constrained
market. These developments represent an extraordinary circumstance beyond the reasonable control of individual laboratories.

ACIL Industry Perspective

ACIL acknowledges that recent helium supply disruptions arise from extraordinary external factors. To
preserve analytical integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity, laboratories may need
to independently evaluate and implement temporary, method‑specific operational responses that
reflect current input conditions. Such actions are narrowly focused on maintaining service availability
and quality, are determined independently by each laboratory, and are subject to review as supply
conditions evolve.

Closing Statement

ACIL believes that proactive, transparent communication regarding helium constraints is essential to
maintaining analytical integrity, laboratory sustainability, and customer confidence during this period of
global uncertainty. The association supports continued industry dialogue on best practices and longer-
term mitigation strategies.

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Industry Communication to Customers/ Customer Summary
ACIL encourages laboratories to use this statement as a reference when communicating with customers.

Independent laboratories across the testing industry are experiencing extraordinary and externally
driven increases in the cost and availability of helium, a critical component for many (GC) and GC/MS
analytical methods. Recent global supply disruptions and geopolitical instability have significantly
intensified longstanding helium market constraints.