From mining laboratories and environmental testing facilities to universities and research institutions, analytical accuracy depends on one critical factor—Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). Whether analysing ore grades, heavy metals in soil, or trace elements in water, laboratories need reliable benchmarks to validate results and maintain compliance.
At Graham B. Jackson, we supply high-quality Certified Reference Materials, including certified Reference Ores and NCS reference materials, sourced from globally recognised manufacturers. These materials help laboratories produce accurate, traceable, and reproducible analytical results across a broad range of applications.
In this article, we’ll explain how CRMs support laboratory quality assurance, what accreditations to look for, and how to choose the right reference material for your analytical requirements.
What Are Certified Reference Materials Used for in Laboratories?
Certified Reference Materials are carefully characterised materials supplied with a certificate stating certified property values, measurement uncertainty, and traceability. They serve as quality benchmarks throughout the analytical workflow.
Laboratories commonly use CRMs for:
- Instrument calibration
- Method development and validation
- Quality control (QC)
- Measurement traceability
- Analyst competency verification
- Inter-laboratory comparisons
- Regulatory compliance
Unlike ordinary standards, CRMs undergo rigorous homogeneity, stability, and characterisation studies, ensuring laboratories can demonstrate confidence in every reported result. ISO 17034 specifies the competence requirements for organisations producing these materials, while ISO/IEC 17025 recognises ISO 17034-produced CRMs as appropriate for laboratory quality assurance.
Why Certified Reference Ores Are Essential
Mining and geological laboratories analyse highly variable matrices that contain complex mineral compositions. Because ore samples behave differently from synthetic standards during digestion and analysis, laboratories often require certified Reference Ores that closely match real-world samples.
Certified ore reference materials are widely used for:
- Gold exploration
- Base metal analysis
- Iron ore testing
- Rare earth element analysis
- Nickel and lithium exploration
- Copper and zinc assays
- Multi-element ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis
Matrix-matched ore CRMs improve analytical accuracy by accounting for mineralogical effects that synthetic standards cannot replicate. Natural ore-based CRMs also provide greater confidence during fire assay, aqua regia digestion, XRF, ICP-MS, and ICP-OES workflows.
Understanding NCS Reference Materials
Among internationally recognised laboratory standards, NCS reference materials are trusted for their consistency, certified values, and wide analytical coverage.
These reference materials are widely applied across:
- Environmental laboratories
- Geological analysis
- Metallurgical testing
- Food analysis
- Agricultural laboratories
- Industrial quality control
NCS reference materials support validation of elemental analysis, heavy metals, nutrients, and numerous inorganic parameters while helping laboratories maintain robust quality assurance systems.
How to Select the Correct Certified Reference Material for Environmental Analysis
Selecting the right CRM involves more than simply matching an analyte.
Laboratories should evaluate several important factors:
Matrix Matching
Choose a CRM that closely resembles your actual sample.
Examples include:
- Soil
- Sediment
- Ore
- Water
- Sludge
- Plant tissue
Matrix-matched materials reduce analytical bias caused by different digestion or extraction behaviour.
Certified Parameters
Ensure the CRM includes certification for the analytes being measured, such as:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Chromium
- Nickel
- Rare earth elements
Analytical Method Compatibility
Verify compatibility with your analytical technique, including:
- ICP-MS
- ICP-OES
- AAS
- XRF
- Ion Chromatography
- UV-Vis Spectrophotometry
Measurement Uncertainty
Review the certificate to confirm uncertainty values meet your laboratory’s quality objectives.
Regulatory Requirements
Environmental laboratories working to ISO/IEC 17025 or government regulations should use CRMs that support measurement traceability and internationally recognised quality systems.
What Accreditation Should a Certified Reference Material Supplier Have?
Not all reference material suppliers offer the same level of assurance.
When selecting a supplier, laboratories should prioritise organisations whose products are produced under internationally recognised accreditation.
The most important accreditation is:
ISO 17034
ISO 17034 specifies the competence requirements for Reference Material Producers (RMPs).
Accredited producers demonstrate competence in:
- Material production
- Homogeneity testing
- Stability studies
- Characterisation
- Assignment of certified values
- Quality management
Many leading CRM producers also operate testing laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, strengthening confidence in the analytical data supporting certification.
ERA, one of GBJ’s trusted suppliers, maintains accredited production systems covering a broad range of environmental Certified Reference Materials under ISO 17034, with supporting analytical competence through ISO/IEC 17025.
What Companies Supply Certified Reference Materials for Laboratory Use?
Laboratories typically source Certified Reference Materials from internationally recognised producers specialising in environmental, geological, industrial, and analytical applications.
GBJ supplies high-quality Certified Reference Materials from globally respected manufacturers, including:
- ERA environmental Certified Reference Materials
- NCS reference materials
- Certified Reference Ores
- Multi-element reference standards
- Soil and sediment CRMs
- Water quality CRMs
- Geological reference materials
By partnering with accredited manufacturers, Graham B. Jackson helps Australian laboratories access reliable, traceable reference materials that support quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and consistent analytical performance.
Why Laboratories Choose GBJ
GBJ has built a strong reputation as a trusted Australian supplier of laboratory reference standards.
Our customers benefit from:
- Extensive range of Certified Reference Materials
- Certified Reference Ores for mining and exploration
- Comprehensive NCS reference materials
- Products from internationally accredited manufacturers
- Technical guidance for product selection
- Reliable Australian supply and customer support
Whether you’re validating environmental analyses, monitoring mining operations, or maintaining ISO/IEC 17025 compliance, GBJ provides the certified materials laboratories rely on for dependable results.
Conclusion
Analytical confidence begins with high-quality reference materials. From environmental monitoring and mining exploration to routine laboratory quality control, certified Reference Ores and NCS reference materials play a vital role in ensuring accurate, traceable, and reproducible measurements.
By sourcing Certified Reference Materials from accredited producers operating to ISO 17034 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, laboratories can strengthen data integrity, satisfy regulatory requirements, and make informed decisions based on reliable analytical results. Graham B. Jackson is committed to supporting Australian laboratories with trusted, internationally recognised Certified Reference Materials tailored to a wide range of testing applications.
FAQs
What are Certified Reference Materials used for in laboratories?
Certified Reference Materials are used for instrument calibration, method validation, quality control, proficiency testing, and ensuring measurement traceability across laboratory analyses.
What companies supply Certified Reference Materials for laboratory use?
Graham B. Jackson supplies Certified Reference Materials from internationally recognised and accredited manufacturers, including ERA and NCS, covering environmental, geological, and industrial testing applications.
How do I select the correct Certified Reference Material for environmental analysis?
Choose a CRM that matches your sample matrix, certified analytes, analytical method, measurement uncertainty requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
What accreditation should a Certified Reference Material supplier have?
Look for suppliers offering materials produced by organisations accredited to ISO 17034 for reference material production, with supporting ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation where applicable.
Why are certified Reference Ores important?
Certified Reference Ores closely resemble natural geological samples, helping mining laboratories achieve more accurate and representative analytical results than synthetic standards.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@gbjpl.com.au