Are certified reference materials a victim of quality systems? The need for working matrix-certified reference materials

The use of natural matrix-certified reference materials by commercial environmental laboratories is increasing rapidly. These materials are now an essential component of the quality systems of most commercial environmental laboratories. The use is increasing faster than existing producers, principally government agencies, can meet. The use of data from well established laboratory proficiency schemes is shown to be one alternative way of producing natural matrix-certified reference materials designed for use as day-to-day within-batch control materials.