Industrial and geological reference materials

IntroductionThe use of reference materialsWhen choosing a matrix reference material for a particular application the analyst should consider the following factors before selecting the material:Reference materials are instrumental in ensuring the reliability of analytical measurements and so ensuring the use of high quality data as the basis of decision making.When choosing a matrix reference material for a particular application the analyst should consider the following factors before selecting the material:• Matrix match and potential interference • Measurement uncertainties• Analytes • Certification procedures used by the producer• Measurement range • Documentation supplied with the material (e.g. certification orreport)Certified Reference Material (CRM)Reference material, accompanied by a certificate, one or more of whose property values are certified by a procedure which establishes its traceability to an accuraterealization of the unit in which the property values are expressed., and for which each certified value is accompanied by an uncertainty at a stated level of confidence.The CRMs are certified by a recognized certifying organization using approved certification procedures of certification as instructed in ISO Guide 35:2006 “ReferenceMaterials – General and statistical principles for certification”. A CRM is the highest order to which an analytical reference material can be elevated because of thetraceability to SI units and because of the attributed confidence in the company or organization which produced the material.Reference Material (RM)A material or substance one or more of whose property values are sufficiently homogeneous and well established to be used for calibration of an apparatus, theassessment of a measurement method or for assigning values to materials. The RMs usually have been through interlaboratory testing using many analysts andsupplier with a certificate of analysis but do not strictly follow all procedures of certification as indicated in ISO Guide 35. Certificates of RMs often state that themeasurement data is traceable to primary CRMs.Producers of reference materialsThis catalogue brings together products from a wide variety of sources. These include certified reference materials from National Measurement Institutes and alsoreference materials and quality control samples from many different producers. Most products are supplied with a certificate of analysis although the layout and formatof the certificates will vary according to the producer. Quality control samples may come with an information sheet only.Edition 2013 Many other products are available on request - please contact us to enquire! 7