Prospects for the Production, Research and Utilization of Reference Materials

Abstract

For some time the quality of results of analytical measurements has been in the center of interest of chemical analysts. This is caused by the rising importance of these results in almost all spheres of life. There are many parameters contributing to the achievement of reliable and comparable measurement results. These are, among other things: checks of the competence of the analyst or the laboratory, routine checks of accuracy and precision of measurement results, validation of analytic methods, accreditation of the laboratorys, etc. Reference materials (RMs), particularly (CRMS), constitute a very important tool and are the basis of achieving accurate measurement results by laboratories and also for the verification of results of analytical measurements. All over the world we note a rising demand for various kinds of reference materials, which leads to a wider offer and a continuous increase of the number of producers of such materials. The paper discusses the most important information available and perspectives of utilization, research, and production of reference materials.