Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 20, 2026

Last Updated: January 20, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Exotic Plant Labs (“EPL,” “we,” “us”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects information from visitors and customers who use our website, products, and services (collectively, the “Services”).

For purposes of this Privacy Policy, Exotic Plant Labs operates in association with Exotic Plant Food, LLC and Innovative Technical Holdings LLC. When we say “we” or “us,” we may refer to Exotic Plant Labs, Exotic Plant Food, LLC, and/or Innovative Technical Holdings LLC (together, the “EPL Group”), depending on which entity is providing the Services, operating the website, and/or processing your samples.

Important scope note: We do not offer human genetic testing.

1) Information We Collect

A. Information you provide to us:We may collect information you submit through the website, checkout, forms, email, or other communications, including:

Name | Email address | Shipping and billing address | Phone number (if provided) | 

Order details, transaction information (payment processing is typically handled by third-party processors; we do not store full payment card numbers if processed by a third party)

Communications with us (messages, support requests) Sample submission details (for example: plant identifier, cultivar/clone notes, breeder notes, and other descriptors you choose to provide)

B. Information we collect automatically: When you use the Services, we may automatically collect:

IP address | Device identifiers and browser type | Pages viewed and time spent 

| Referring/exit pages | Approximate location (derived from IP) | Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 7)

C. Information related to lab processing: When you submit a plant sample, we may generate and store:

Internal sample IDs, chain-of-custody notes, and processing metadata

Test results and reports | Quality-control metrics and run logs

Derived data produced during processing (for example: extracted nucleic acids, amplified material, raw instrument output, and analysis files)

2) How We Use Information

We use information to: Provide and operate the Services (order fulfillment, sample processing, delivering results) Communicate with you (status updates, support, administrative messages)

Improve and secure the Services (debugging, analytics, fraud prevention)

Maintain internal records (accounting, audits, compliance) Enforce policies and agreements

Develop and improve lab workflows, protocols, and quality systems (see Section 5 on ownership/IP)

3) How We Share Information

We may share information: Service providers who help us operate (web hosting, ecommerce, shipping, email delivery, analytics, customer support tools, payment processors)

Laboratory partners and subcontractors who assist with processing and analysis under confidentiality and security obligations Legal and compliance needs (to comply with law, court order, or protect rights/safety) Business transfers (merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets).

We do not sell personal information

We do not sell your personal information in the traditional sense. If your state law defines “sale” or “sharing” broadly (for example, for targeted advertising), you may have opt-out rights—see Section 9.

4) Confidentiality of Results

We treat your submitted sample information and test results as confidential and use reasonable measures to restrict access to personnel or vendors who need it to perform Services.

However, no system is perfectly secure. See Section 8 for security details.

5) Sample Ownership, Genetic Material, and IP (EPL Group Property)

This section addresses ownership and intellectual property related to submitted plant samples and lab-derived materials/data.

A. Ownership transfer upon receipt and acceptance

Once your submitted sample is returned/delivered to and accepted by the lab, you agree that the EPL Group owns the sample and genetic material. This includes, without limitation:

The physical sample you submit (plant tissue and any residual material)

Any extracted genetic material (including DNA/RNA extracts)

Any derivatives created during processing (including amplified products, prepared slides, residual extracts, and stored aliquots).

B. Ownership of derived information and intellectual property

You further agree that all information derived from the sample and all lab outputs are the intellectual property and physical property of the EPL Group, including, without limitation:

Raw data, intermediate files, and analysis outputs Reports, interpretations, and result formats

Internal methods, workflows, protocols, QC systems, and related know-how and 

any improvements, optimizations, or discoveries arising from processing.

C. Your access to results (limited license)

While ownership remains with the EPL Group as stated above, we generally provide you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use your delivered results for your personal or internal business purposes (for example: collection decisions, breeding plans, recordkeeping).

You may not resell, repackage, or commercially exploit our reports/data as a standalone product or service without expressed written permission.

D. Optional de-identified learning

We may use de-identified and/or aggregated operational data (for example, throughput metrics, error rates, non-identifying sample statistics) to improve quality and performance. We do not intend to publish personally identifying customer information without permission.

Practical note: Many businesses place the “ownership/IP” clause in Terms of Service (and reference it from the Privacy Policy). If you want maximum enforceability, add a short Terms of Service that customers accept at checkout/sample submission.

6) Data Retention

We keep information as long as reasonably necessary to: Provide the Services

Maintain records for business, legal, tax, and compliance purposes

Support quality assurance, dispute resolution, and security needs

Sample materials may be retained, consumed, archived, or disposed of in accordance with our lab practices and operational needs unless a written agreement states otherwise.

7) Cookies and Similar Technologies

We may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to:

Keep the site working (shopping cart, preferences)

Understand usage patterns (analytics)

Improve marketing effectiveness

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect site functionality.

8) Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information. These may include access controls, account authentication, vendor security review, and data minimization.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. You use the Services at your own risk.

9) Your Privacy Rights (U.S. State Privacy Laws)

Depending on your state of residence (including Colorado), you may have rights such as:

Access to personal data we hold about you Correction of inaccurate personal data

Deletion of personal data (subject to exceptions)

Data portability Opt-out of certain processing (for example, targeted advertising where applicable)

To submit a request, contact us using the information in Section 12. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

10) Children’s Privacy: Our Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

11) Changes to This Privacy Policy: We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on the website with a revised “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the Services after changes means you accept the updated policy.

12) Contact Us: Exotic Plant Labs (in association with Exotic Plant Food, LLC and Innovative Technical Holdings LLC) | Email: info@exoticplantfood.com

Mailing Address: PO Box 2427, 18695 Pony Express Drive, Parker, CO 80134, USA

“By submitting a sample, you agree that upon receipt and acceptance by the lab, the sample and all derived genetic material and data become the property and IP of Exotic Plant Labs, in association with Exotic Plant Food, LLC and Innovative Technical Holdings LLC.”