Laboratories are heading into 2026 with steady demand but tighter financial margins. The broader economy has cooled from its post-pandemic rebound, and analysts expect sluggish US growth next year as tariffs, inflation, and higher borrowing costs continue to shape purchasing behavior.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) September 2025 Economic Outlook, US growth is projected to slow from 2.8 percent in 2024 to 1.8 percent in 2025 and 1.5 percent in 2026, reflecting lessening investment and the ongoing impact of higher trade barriers. The International Monetary Fund reports a similar trend, noting that growth is weaker and inflation is higher than expected due to tariff-related costs and persistent supply chain strain.

For lab managers, these broad shifts may manifest in familiar ways: equipment quotes that expire more quickly, higher consumable costs, and extended lead times. Even as scientific activity remains strong, the cost of keeping labs supplied and compliant is rising—making 2026 a year when financial agility and smart sourcing will matter more than ever.

Tariff shifts ripple through the supply chain

In June 2025, the White House doubled Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 percent, citing domestic manufacturing priorities. The US Trade Representative also expanded tariffs on Chinese imports, adding duties on electronics, plastics, and other materials that labs depend on.

According to recent analyses from Yale University’s Budget Lab, overall tariff levels in 2025 climbed sharply—rising more than sevenfold between February and midyear. It’s one of the fastest increases the Budget Lab has recorded since tracking began. That spike is already feeding into higher import prices and slower investment in equipment and materials.

For laboratories, this means many of the materials that keep research facilities running—such as steel casework, aluminum framing, glassware, personal protective equipment (PPE), and electronics—now cost more or take longer to arrive. Even routine purchases may come with new surcharges or shorter quote windows as suppliers adjust to changing import costs.

Procurement specialists across various industries are also updating their contracts to include price-adjustment clauses that allow vendors to revise pricing if tariffs shift during the contract. Lab managers may begin to see these terms appear in equipment or maintenance renewals in 2026.

Lab Management Certificate

The Lab Management certificate is more than training—it’s a professional advantage.

Gain critical skills and IACET-approved CEUs that make a measurable difference.

How tariffs are reshaping key lab sectors

The impact of 2025’s tariff escalation isn’t uniform across the laboratory landscape. Each major sector faces its own version of the same challenge: higher costs, shifting supply chains, and tighter purchasing flexibility.

Clinical and diagnostic laboratories

Clinical labs remain vulnerable to tariff-related disruption because their operations depend on validated instruments and reagents that cannot be easily substituted. Even minor supplier or material changes can require revalidation, adding both time and cost.

Sterile disposables, assay kits, PPE, and analyzers have all become more expensive. US manufacturers such as Abbott Laboratories have responded by increasing domestic production capacity to reduce import exposure, a move that may gradually stabilize pricing and improve supply predictability.

International trade policy remains another key variable. The European Union and Japan were exempted from proposed 100 percent tariffs on pharmaceuticals, while Singapore-based manufacturers continue to seek clarity on their exemption status. For clinical laboratories, these regional differences could influence pricing and reagent availability through 2026.

Applied and industrial laboratories

Applied and industrial laboratories are experiencing some of the most direct effects of tariffs. The White House’s decision to double Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum immediately raised the cost of key infrastructure and analytical components. These metals form the backbone of many lab systems, from test stands and containment units to facility upgrades.

In response, manufacturers and service providers are relocating production closer to end-users. The 2025 Reshoring Survey Report from the Reshoring Initiative found that nearly half of the surveyed US manufacturers have relocated or plan to relocate some operations back to North America, citing supply chain risk and tariff volatility.

For laboratories that support industrial or applied R&D, these shifts mean shorter lead times but higher baseline prices for domestically-sourced equipment. Many organizations are turning to lease- and service-based models to manage high capital costs. IBISWorld’s Laboratory Equipment Leasing in the US report projects a 4.7 percent increase in leasing activity in 2025, reflecting growing demand for predictable monthly expenses as labs navigate tighter budgets and market uncertainty.

Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical laboratories

Pharma and biopharma organizations sit at the intersection of global supply and regulatory oversight. Many depend on imported intermediates, sterile consumables, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, particularly from China, India, and Singapore—regions now affected by varying tariff policies.

According to Clinical Leader’s 2025 analysis, new duties on pharmaceutical imports could alter outsourcing decisions and increase production costs for US-based operations. The OECD’s September 2025 outlook also warns that sustained tariffs could weigh on investment in pharmaceutical infrastructure.

In response, companies such as Sanofi and Roche have announced expanded US manufacturing footprints to insulate operations from trade disruptions. For lab managers, this shift could bring localized supply advantages and shorter delivery times as domestic production ramps up over the next 12 to 18 months.

Life science and academic research laboratories

Life science and academic research facilities aren’t immune to the recent tariff expansions on steel, aluminum, plastics, and imported electronics, which have increased the cost of infrastructure and instruments used in casework, analytical systems, and automation equipment.Interest in refurbished and used equipment is also on the rise. As reported in Lab Manager’s article, “How Tariffs and Tight Budgets are Driving Demand for Refurbished Lab Equipment, many certified refurbishment programs now offer stronger warranty and service support. These programs help laboratories replace or expand their capacity at a lower cost than purchasing new equipment.

Monitoring these economic and procurement trends will help life science and academic laboratories plan effectively for 2026, as tariff policies and supply conditions are likely to remain subject to change.

Planning ahead for 2026

Regardless of sector, three themes stand out for 2026:

• Costs will remain elevated as tariff policies and interest rates keep upward pressure on materials and equipment
• Sourcing will diversify, with more suppliers building domestic or near-shore capacity
• Procurement flexibility will matter most—managers who track supplier changes, build contingency into budgets, and negotiate adaptable contracts will be best positioned to sustain operations

Trade policy will continue to evolve, but its effects are already tangible in laboratories across the country. For lab managers, the task now is practical: stay informed, plan ahead, and make purchasing decisions that protect both science and sustainability in an unpredictable year ahead.

This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.