Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are controlled substances used for calibration, quality control, and related tasks. They are sold by scientific supply companies and stored in secure environments due to their hazardous nature. Access is restricted to specific personnel.
Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are sample materials of known composition and other qualities that can be used for calibration, quality control, and related tasks. In many regions, standards agencies regulate who can produce certified reference materials, distinguishing between certified reference materials and non-certified materials, allowing only facilities that meet specific standards to issue certifications. The certificate indicates that the products have been manufactured or processed in a strictly controlled facility and meet the legal standards for use as reference materials.
In tasks like calibrating lab equipment, technicians need a reference material to use. This material must conform to very precise standards of purity and quality; for example, in calibrating a mass spectrometer, the researcher needs a known material to use in a test. Certified reference materials can be kept on hand for use in calibration, quality control, and spot checks to confirm that the equipment is functioning properly. Researchers can also compare reference materials to unknown samples to see how they match.
Scientific supply companies sell certified reference materials and typically maintain a catalog of options available for purchase. The price may vary depending on the material and access to some materials is restricted for security reasons. Toxic or potentially hazardous materials are typically only available through a limited number of resources, and these organizations are careful about what products they release to whom. Nuclear reference materials, for example, are handled with extreme care, as are some biological samples.
These materials can include pure reference samples as well as compounds and solutions, some of which can be diluted to varying degrees. If you need a certified reference material that is customized for a very specific purpose, the manufacturer can evaluate the specifications and provide an estimate of cost and lead time. For complex tasks, the cost can add up considerably, especially if the customer wants to place a rush order to get a sample quickly for a particular project or need.
Facilities store certified reference materials in a secure environment to reduce the risk of contamination and other issues. Access may be restricted to specific personnel, who may need to sign materials in a register and take responsibility for their safety and security while out of storage. Confidential and secure materials are often restricted to on-premise use, and personnel cannot take them to remote sites or other facilities without explicit permission.
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