Reference Material Producers

Description of the activity

The activity of a reference materials producer consists of producing materials, including certified ones, to be used for the calibration of measuring instruments or as reference standards for interlaboratory proficiency testing (PT/ILC).
Through appropriate production planning and then strict control of the production process (using appropriate equipment and technically competent personnel), the material thus produced ensures sufficient homogeneity and stability over time, as well as, in the case of certified reference materials, metrological traceability (of certified values ​​only), thus representing a fundamental element for ensuring the traceability and accuracy of measurements.

Since 2017, in particular, following the publication in 2016 of the ISO 17034 standard, replacing ISO Guide 34, Accredia has begun the transition of accreditation of reference material producers (RMPs) in accordance with the new standard. RMPs can also benefit from the national recognition of their expertise, pending the activation of the new international EA MLA Agreement at EA level.

Document issued

The validity of reference material production is certified by product information sheets and reference material certificates, issued by the reference material producers, who is fully responsible for providing this information for the materials it produces.

What the product information sheet guarantees

The product information sheet guarantees that the reference materials are sufficiently stable and homogeneous to be used in quality control of measurement results.

What the reference material certificate guarantees

A reference material certificate guarantees that the certified values ​​of the reference material properties reported therein, along with the associated uncertainties, refer to the corresponding unit of measurement and that this information can be transferred to the measurements performed using them.

What the product information sheet and the reference material certificate do NOT guarantee

Product information sheets and reference material certificates do not guarantee that the reference material will remain unchanged indefinitely or that the sample will be used correctly if the conditions described therein are not met.

Other Regulations for accreditation

• RT-34
  Requirements for the accreditation of Reference Material Producers
• RT-39
  Requirements for participation in proficiency testing (PT) and/or interlaboratory comparisons (ILC)

Application for accreditation

• DA-00
  Application for Accreditation
• DA-09
  Application for Accreditation of Reference Material Producers (RMP)
• DA-09 All.1
  Metrology fields – sectors (RMP)
• MD-014-RMP-DT
  Check list system assessor – RMP – UNI CEI EN ISO 17034:2017

Circulars of Accredia

• LS-18
  List of Informative and Technical Circulars of Calibration Laboratory Department