New catalogue for primary calibration reference materials is launched by LGC Standards.

Click here to download the catalogue

The LGC Standards catalogue “Higher order reference materials” includes a special range of reference materials, mainly from national metrology institutes. The term “higher order” stems from the European directive on in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices (directive 98/79/EC). It includes primary calibrators, i.e. materials which are used to calibrate reference measurement procedures.

Higher order reference materials are produced by institutes or international organisations with responsibility for metrological traceability. The materials have been thoroughly characterised using the best available measurement procedures, sometimes as part of an interlaboratory comparison between national metrology institutes. The uncertainty of the materials’ property values should, therefore, be the smallest attainable.

Higher order reference materials are primarily associated with clinical measurements. A Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM) has been set up, one of its tasks being to identify higher order reference materials. This catalogue has been checked against information provided by the JCTLM (www.bipm.org) until July 2008. It is, however, equally important to identify primary calibrators in other analytical fields. Future editions of this catalogue may, therefore, list materials used to calibrate measurements in other fields.

All higher order reference materials are sold with detailed certificates of analysis, where in addition to the certified properties, their associated uncertainty and metrological traceability, instructions for storage, handling and use are also described. Several producers, e.g. the IRMM, provide on request, a certification report. This is a detailed report about manufacturing, quality control and certification procedures including the results from external organisations.

The production of higher order reference materials underpins the national and/or international measurement infrastructure. The producers have a key role in developing, supporting and promoting good measurement practice. The cost of production is partially covered by government or other funding and, therefore, the sales price does not fully represent the true cost of production, characterisation and certification.

Notes to Editors

About LGC Standards

LGC Standards is a division of LGC dedicated to those products and services specifically able to champion measurement and quality control within the laboratory. LGC Standards (trading as LGC Promochem until November 2007) supplies over 20,000 reference materials, pharmaceutical impurity reference standards, proficiency testing and training in analytical quality. LGC Standards is headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, UK. Its global centre for excellence in proficiency testing is located in Bury (Greater Manchester). LGC Standards has offices in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK and representatives in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Romania and the US.

About LGC

LGC is an international science-based company and market leader in analytical, forensic and diagnostic services and reference standards. A progressive and innovative enterprise, LGC operates in socially responsible fields underpinning the safety, health and security of the public and the regulation of industry, for UK government departments and blue chip clients. 

LGC operates internationally through four divisions - LGC Forensics, Life & Food Sciences, LGC Standards and Research & Technology, which includes specialist laboratories delivering contracts under the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and supporting LGC's designated role as the UK's National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalysis.

Our methodology is extensively accredited to the international standard ISO 17025. With headquarters in Teddington, South West London, the LGC Group employs over 1200 staff in 21 laboratories and centres across Europe and in India. Privatised in 1996 and now majority-owned by funds managed by LGV Capital, LGC was founded over 150 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist - a statutory function maintained by LGC today.