Low-cost QC Laboratory Reference Materials - Investigation of Cost-effective Production Procedures

Date: 30/04/2001	Ref No: LGC/VAM/2001/009	Type: Report
Author(s): Lawn R, Roper P, Holcombe G, Stuart B
Organisation/Publisher: LGC

This report presents the results of investigations aimed at identifying quicker, more cost-effective means of producing laboratory matrix reference materials. Such materials are intended to enable laboratories to check the accuracy of their routine test data on a regular basis. Whilst certified matrix reference materials could be used for this purpose, they are not used as widely as is desirable, owing to cost factors and lack of availability. It is envisaged that more cost-effective production procedures will increase the supply of matrix reference materials for routine quality control accuracy checks. Such materials (referred to as QCRMs) will usually have a higher uncertainty than similar CRMs, but will nevertheless still be fit-for-purpose.