TABLE OF CONTENTS This book has been produced as a deliverable under the UK's Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) Programme. VAM is a programme of work sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry as part of the UK's National Measurement System. The book provides guidance and information on the application of certified reference materials (CRMs) in the context of how they can best be used to achieve valid analytical measurements and thereby improve quality in the analytical laboratory.
The main applications of CRMs in analytical chemistry, such as instrument calibration, method validation, checking laboratory performance, internal quality control and uncertainty estimation are described. Worked examples are used to illustrate key issues and to lead the analyst through the most common calculations and statistical tests employed. The first two chapters provide general information on CRMs and how they are produced. whilst in Chapter 3 the statistics relating to the use of CRMs are explained in an easy to understand manner. Chapters 4 6 describe the main applications of CRMs, and are written so that they may be read independently of each other.
All chemical measurements, whether qualitative or quantitative, depend upon and are ultimately traceable to, a CRM or a standard material of some sort. Qualitative measurements of identity based, for example, on gas chromatographic retention times or spectroscopic properties, require a reliable, authentic, reference material to calibrate the particular instrument or test used. Quantitative determinations have the additional requirement that the instrument is calibrated with an...
