Precautions in Using JFE-TEC's Original Standard Reference Materials (JSMs)

Precautions in Using JFE-TEC's Original Standard Reference Materials (JSMs)

Our original standard reference materials (JSMs) are reference materials (RMs), and are not classified as certified reference materials (CRMs).*1
Therefore, please note that analysis values based on calibration curves generated with our standard reference materials (JSM) may be used for internal control purposes or reference purposes in report but cannot be reported to external parties as quality assurance values.

*1 Only exceptions are some of plastic materials, which are classified as CRMs.

Definitions of Certified Reference Materials and Reference Materials

A certified reference material is a reference material certified in accordance with JIS Q 0035 and is defined as follows.*2

• • Reference Material (RM)
    Material, sufficiently homogeneous and stable with respect to one or more specified properties, which has been established to be fit for its intended use in a measurement process.
  • Certified Reference Material (CRM)
    Reference material characterized by a metrologically valid procedure for one or more specified properties, accompanied by a certificate that provides the value of the specified property, its associated uncertainty, and a statement of metrological traceability.

• 

In other words, a certified reference material is a reference material which (1) provides guaranteed property values (e.g., concentration) and clear traceability, (2) involves uncertainty in property values, and (3) is accompanied by a certificate.

An example of certified iron and steel reference materials is Japanese Iron and Steel Certified Standard Reference Materials (JSS) provided by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation.

*2 JIS Q 0035:2008 Reference materials - General and statistical principles for certification

Measurement Traceability

Traceability means that measurement results are linked to primary standards (international or national standards) of the International System of Units (SI).*3 ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) requires traceability to the SI to ensure the reliability of measurement. However, where the traceability to the SI is not technically possible or reasonable (e.g., chemical composition analysis), it is required that measurement traceability be established using "certified reference materials" provided by competent suppliers or agreed methods and/or consensus standards.

In other words, using certified reference materials is essential when the traceability of analysis results needs to be declared. It should be noted that the values provided for the components of JFE-TEC's original standard reference materials (JSM) satisfy the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements concerning measurement traceability.

*3 VIM:1993 (an international vocabulary of basic terms in metrology) defines traceability as "property of the result of a measurement or the value of a standard whereby it can be related to stated references, usually national or international standards, through an unbroken chain of comparisons all having stated uncertainties."

If you need further information or have any questions regarding reference materials, certified reference materials, or measurement traceability, please consult our technical staff.