New brand of certified reference materials for GMOs in maize, sulphur in diesel, and aflatoxins in milk powder make their US debut at Pittcon 2005
The ERM brand of reference materials were showcased for the first time outside Europe at Pittcon 2005.
A result of an international co-operation between LGC, the European Commissions Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), ERM exhibited and provided information on brand new certified reference materials designed to support measurements for food and environmental legislation and consumer safety.
Certified reference materials (CRMs)are widely recognised in various fields of analysis as being crucial for calibration, method development and method validation.
Used for controlling the performance of laboratories and methods, they provide confidence in and comparability of analytical data.
To fulfil this role they have to be of sufficient quality.
The aim of the ERM initiative is that there are mutually agreed and transparent technical ERM guidelines in accordance with ISO Guides 34 and 35, with additional peer-review of the CRMs and audits of their long-term stability.
John Marriott, government chemist and director of analytical technology at LGC, said: "CRMs with the ERM trademark fulfil harmonised quality criteria based on modern international guidelines and contribute to the surveillance of the implementation of EU legislation.
"They are a major tool for improving the confidence in, and the mutual recognition of, test results and certificates in a global market.
"LGC, IRMM and BAM believe that our ERM brand of reference materials will also help US and other non-European organisations comply with international as well as their own national legislation".
Production of the new ERM CRMs has focused on three areas: GMOs in maize, sulphur in diesel, and aflatoxins in milk powders.
Two new sets of GMO CRMs have been certified to allow the quantification of the GA21 and MON810 maize content, important for the implementation of GM legislation and acceptance of these two maize varieties in the European Union.
The three milk powders have been certified for their aflatoxin M1 content, thus protecting consumers from this potentially carcinogenic substance.
The diesel CRM with an especially low sulphur content will be available shortly, allowing fuel producers to ensure compliance with stringent environmental legislation.
