08/01/2010

The JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) - the largest matrix reference materials producer in Europe and one of the largest producers worldwide - has announced a new and expanded network of authorised distributors. From 1 January 2010, the following companies will be the official distributors of IRMM's reference materials for the period 2010-2019:

• LGC Standards, Wesel, Germany
• Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Buchs, Switzerland
• Resource Technology Corporation (RTC), Laramie, Wyoming, USA
• Analytical Reference Materials International (ARMI), Golden, Colorado, USA
• Industrial Analytical, Kyalami, Republic of South Africa

These distributors will:

• ensure the same storage conditions as at IRMM
• demonstrate adherence to these conditions by sending temperature data to IRMM on a bimonthly basis
• have technical staff to support CRM users
• have a quality system to ensure the maintenance of the performance level achieved.

By imposing strict conditions on the distributors, JRC-IRMM can ensure that materials stored at their premises are as stable and valid as materials stored at JRC-IRMM. This allows customers to receive materials from a local distributor at the same quality they rightly demand from JRC-IRMM. In this way, CRMs are made easier available, supporting not only a European, but world-wide measurement system. With the new distributors, JRC-IRMM has for the first time established a distributorship in Africa, thus making its materials more available there and supporting the local measurement capabilities.


About certified reference materials

There are well over 11,000 certified reference materials available worldwide for diverse applications relating to industrial or environmental measurements, quality of life, biological and clinical uses. Today, certified reference materials are increasingly required to fulfil the requirements of laboratory accreditation schemes. They also demonstrate to customers that results are reliable and trustworthy.


Why choose JRC-IRMM for reference materials?

• The JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) is one of the world’s leading reference material producers. As a research centre of the European Commission, JRC-IRMM is independent of special interests, whether private or national.
• JRC-IRMM is committed to quality, and was the first organisation in Europe to achieve accreditation to ISO Guide 34 for the production of reference materials.