History
Milestones
23-04-2004 - Analytica 2004 – Reference materials
producers launch new European initiative
LGC, BAM and IRMM hold press conference to launch ERM®
partnership at Analytica 2004 in Munich,
Germany
Public confidence in the results of chemical and biological
measurements is important in many aspects of modern society,
including consumer protection in food consumption, healthcare,
environmental protection and fair trade. Reference materials are
cornerstones of modern quality assurance of such measurements. To
enhance further the quality, reliability and available range of
such reference materials, three major European producers have
decided to join their forces at a new level of international
co-operation. The Institute for Reference Materials and
Measurements (IRMM), an institute of the European Commission’s
Joint Research Centre, LGC of the United Kingdom and the Federal
Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) of Germany have
established the European Reference Material (ERM®)
concept and will launch it to the public at Analytica
2004. IRMM, LGC and BAM will hold a press conference to launch ERM®
on 11 May 2004 at 12:00pm in Conference room B13, First floor, Hall
B1, Neue Messe Munich, Germany.
Certified Reference Materials with the new trademark ERM® fulfil
harmonised quality criteria based on modern international
guidelines. Speaking at the press conference, Professor Hendrik
Emons (IRMM) will explain the aims and opportunities of the ERM®
concept. Moreover, he will illustrate, using the example of ERMs
for genetically modified food, how such reference materials
contribute to the surveillance of the implementation of EU
legislation.
Dr John Marriott (LGC) will give an overview of the range of
ERMs developed to support measurements related to environment and
health, with a specific focus on the development of reference
materials for low sulfur fuels. In order to reduce environmental
pollution, the level of sulfur in fuels is being progressively
reduced by European legislation. In collaboration with the oil and
petroleum industry, the ERM® partnership is developing a range of
materials to help with sound analysis at the lower levels, thus
supporting corresponding environmental regulations.
Professor Irene Nehls (BAM) will introduce different kinds of
metals and alloys as Certified Reference Materials. Two of the
newest materials that fulfil the ERM® quality criteria are based on
the alloys used for the production of the new EURO coins. The exact
compliance with the legal specifications for these alloys forms the
basis for the verification of adulteration of coinage and for the
identification of coins in vending machines. Therefore, the
reference materials are important instruments for coin producers to
ensure the quality of their products and to control the correctness
of their specifications.
For further information about this new European partnership,
visit the ERM® stand at Analytica 2004, Hall A1, booth 250 or
visit: http://www.erm-crm.org.