diff --git a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/MaterialTable.java b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/MaterialTable.java
index 2786a4fa0fe583e28d1df305ea397f2532aef9da..5a2fcffe3b36a4061ef05bc47bfefd42bd99a809 100644
--- a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/MaterialTable.java
+++ b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/MaterialTable.java
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import org.springframework.dao.DataAccessException;
 
 import ch.rinn.restrictions.Private;
-import ch.systemsx.cisd.common.exceptions.UserFailureException;
 import ch.systemsx.cisd.openbis.generic.server.dataaccess.IDAOFactory;
 import ch.systemsx.cisd.openbis.generic.shared.basic.dto.IEntityProperty;
 import ch.systemsx.cisd.openbis.generic.shared.basic.dto.NewMaterial;
@@ -66,22 +65,6 @@ public final class MaterialTable extends AbstractBusinessObject implements IMate
         this.dataChanged = dataChanged;
     }
 
-    private void checkNotNull(final String materialTypeCode, final EntityTypePE entityType)
-    {
-        if (entityType == null)
-        {
-            throw new UserFailureException("Unknown material type '" + materialTypeCode + "'.");
-        }
-    }
-
-    private void checkNotNull(final String materialTypeCode)
-    {
-        if (materialTypeCode == null)
-        {
-            throw new UserFailureException("Material type not specified.");
-        }
-    }
-
     public final List<MaterialPE> getMaterials()
     {
         assert materials != null : "Materials have not been loaded.";