Reference materials are particularly important for analytical chemistry and clinical analysis. Since most analytical instrumentation is comparative, it requires a sample of known composition (reference material) for accurate calibration. These reference materials are produced under stringent manufacturing procedures and differ from laboratory reagents in their certification and the traceability of the data provided.It can be called Analytical working standard (Analytical Reference Standards).
Must be fully characterized & appropriately prepared, identified, tested, approved, stored, and qualified. Expiration dating must be based on stability data obtained from product studies. Complete records of testing must be maintained .Must be stored and shipped in a manner that does not adversely affect quality through appropriate procedures, facilities, and transport arrangements. Integrity must be maintained until the point the seal is broken. Must be appropriate for their intended use .Must be traceable to national or international standards of measurement. Must include a documented uncertainty of measurement
