A chromatography valve for use in fluid analysis and chromatography applications, the chromatography valve comprising: a first body having a flat face , the first body being provided with passages extending therein, each passage being connectable at an outer end to tubing , and terminating at an inner end in a passage port opening on said flat face; a second body engaged with the first body in a sealed relationship, one of the first and second bodies being movable relative to the other one of the first and second bodies between two or more positions for controlling fluid circulation between the passages of the first body , the second body comprising at least one cartridge receiving cavity ; at least one cartridge removably provided in the at least one cartridge receiving cavity of the second body , the at least one cartridge comprising: at least one channel in fluid communication with a pair of the passage ports of the first body , depending on the position of the first body relative to the second body , thereby channeling fluid through selected ones of the passages via the at least one channel ; a front face facing the flat face of the first body ; characterized by at least one annular lip protruding from the front face of the cartridge and surrounding the at least one channel , the annular lip being in contact and pressed against the flat face ; and purge channels extending radially between adjacent channels ; wherein the first body comprises a plurality of purge pockets defined on the flat face and facing the purge channels to allow fluid communication between an inner section and an outer section of the second body . a first body having a flat face , the first body being provided with passages extending therein, each passage being connectable at an outer end to tubing , and terminating at an inner end in a passage port opening on said flat face; a second body engaged with the first body in a sealed relationship, one of the first and second bodies being movable relative to the other one of the first and second bodies between two or more positions for controlling fluid circulation between the passages of the first body , the second body comprising at least one cartridge receiving cavity ; at least one cartridge removably provided in the at least one cartridge receiving cavity of the second body , the at least one cartridge comprising: at least one channel in fluid communication with a pair of the passage ports of the first body , depending on the position of the first body relative to the second body , thereby channeling fluid through selected ones of the passages via the at least one channel ; a front face facing the flat face of the first body ; at least one channel in fluid communication with a pair of the passage ports of the first body , depending on the position of the first body relative to the second body , thereby channeling fluid through selected ones of the passages via the at least one channel ; a front face facing the flat face of the first body ; at least one annular lip protruding from the front face of the cartridge and surrounding the at least one channel , the annular lip being in contact and pressed against the flat face ; and purge channels extending radially between adjacent channels ; wherein the first body comprises a plurality of purge pockets defined on the flat face and facing the purge channels to allow fluid communication between an inner section and an outer section of the second body . <EOS>