There are many academic references describing how RMs are made, but few that explain why they are used, how they should be used and what happens when they are not properly used. In order to fill this gap, the editors have taken the contributions of more than thirty RM practitioners to produce a highly readable text organized in nine chapters. Starting with an introduction to historical, theoretical and technical requirements, the book goes on to examine all aspects of RM production from planning, preparation through analysis to certification, reviews recent development areas, RMs for life analysis and some important general application fields, considers the proper usage of RMs, gives advice on availability and sources of information and lastly looks at future trends and needs for RMs. This book is intended to be a single point of information that both guides the reader through the use of RMs and serves as a primary reference source. It should be on the reading list of anyone working in an analytical laboratory and be found on the library shelf of all analytical chemical laboratories.

Markus Stoeppler is the editor ofReference Materials for Chemical Analysis: Ceritification, Availability and Proper Usage, published by Wiley.

Wayne R. Wolf is the editor ofReference Materials for Chemical Analysis: Ceritification, Availability and Proper Usage, published by Wiley.

Peter J. Jenks is the editor ofReference Materials for Chemical Analysis: Ceritification, Availability and Proper Usage, published by Wiley.

INTRODUCTION Historical The Theoretical Basis Technical Requirements FROM PLANNING TO PRODUCTION Material Collection and Preparation Control of Material Properties CERTIFICATION Certification Philosophy of RM Producers Certification of Elements Certification of Organometallic and Other Species Certification of Organic Substances PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENTS RMs in Quality Control and Quality Assessment Fresh Materials Certified RMs for Microanalytical Methods CRMs as Calibrants RMs for Radioisotopes, Stable Isotopes and Radiopharmaceuticals REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR LIFE ANALYSIS Standard Reference Materials for Microbiological Assays Certified Microbiological Culture Materials Reference Materials for DNA Analysis Future Developments in Molecular Reference Materials Reference Substances and Spectra for Pharmaceutical Analysis GENERAL APPLICATION FIELDS Workplace Air Monitoring Clinical Application Fields Food/Biological Applications of Reference Materials in the Geological Science PROPER USAGE OF REFERENCE MATERIALS Selection, Use and Abuse of RMs Statistical Consequences in the Assurance of Measurement Compatibility Traceability AVAILABILITY AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION Printed Publications Electronic Sources and the Internet Organizations and Symposia The Pharmacopoeia The Movement of Reference Materials FUTURE TRENDS FOR REFERENCE MATERIAL ACTIVITY Overview of General Issues Needs for Specific Reference Materials Reference Material Needs for Regulatory Nutrient Analysis Perspectives from Distributors of Certified Reference Materials RM Needs in Developing Countries