Certified reference materials

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) develops matrix certified reference materials for quantification of organic contaminants (PBDEs, HCBD etc.) and trace elements in animal tissues, plants, waters, sediments and fine dust. The materials closely match real environmental samples.

Certificates clearly specify traceability and uncertainty of the certified values and clearly distinguish between non-certified and certified values that can be used for calibration, performance checks and trueness control. Each CRM is accompanies by a detailed certification report describing: material processing, homogeneity, stability and characterisation studies, value assignment. Examples of recently released materials include: ERM-CE102, PBDEs in fish paste ERM-CA103, trace elements in sea water ERM-CC537a, PBDEs and HBCD in freshwater sediment ERM-CE100, HCB and HCBD in fish All CRMs are produced according to the JRC’s ISO 17034 accredited quality system for CRM production.