News
11-Aug-2009 – LGC leads the way in
international collaboration on CRMs
Government Chemist highlights importance of international
collaboration in development of new certified reference
materials
Lord Drayson, UK Minister for Science and
Innovation, opened the recent international BERM 12 symposium
(Biological and Environmental Reference Materials) confirming the
UK Government’s commitment to measurement science. Held at Keble
College, Oxford on 8-10 July, this was the first BERM
symposium to be held in the UK. The event, which was organised by
LGC in conjunction with the
BERM
committee, attracted over 150 delegates from 26 countries.
While reference materials fall beneath the
public radar, measurement science and standards serve as a basis
for international trade and improved quality of life. The
importance of measurement science is reflected in the UK
Government’s annual investment of approx £60m on measurement
infrastructure across a range of technical areas and an estimated
€80,000m (£70,000m) spent on measurements annually in the European
Union.
Collaboration between institutes from
different countries was a key recurring feature of many of the
presentations at the BERM12 symposium and Dr Derek Craston, UK
Government Chemist, commented
“No one country’s measurement system can provide all certified
reference materials (CRMs). International collaboration is vital
because it avoids wasteful duplication and plugs important
gaps.”
This was exemplified by joint presentations in
the area of bioscience. For example, LGC presented its work in
collaboration with Physikalisch- Technische Bundesanstalt
(PTB) in Germany, the European Commission, Joint Research Centre,
IRMM in Belgium and the
National Physical Laboratory in the UK,
which will help establish traceable reference measurement systems
for complex biomolecules such as proteins. Meanwhile, a joint
scientific endeavour between LGC and the US National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) was the recipient of a prize based
on their efforts for the production of serum-based reference
materials for hormones. These will enable comparability of in
vitro diagnostic and clinical measurements that will improve
patient care, testing, accuracy, reliability and in the long-run
will reduce costs.
The US National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) and National Institute of
Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality of Brazil
(Inmetro) are working together to develop reference materials in
the area of biofuels. These reference materials will benchmark the
measurements of both chemical and physical properties of biofuels.
They will also help determine concentrations of critical byproducts
of the biofuel production process which can, if not removed, cause
engine problems.
Extremely positive feedback was received from
the BERM12 delegates and the success of the symposium will do much
to cement LGC’s position and global reputation as one of the
leading designated National Measurement Institutes.
-Ends-
Notes to
editors:
About the Government Chemist
role
LGC and the Government Chemist role date back
to 1842 when the Laboratory of the Board of Excise was set up to
detect adulterants in tobacco. The statutory role of the Government
Chemist is underpinned by a programme of work at LGC funded by the
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). When the Government Chemist is
called upon as a referee analyst in a dispute, under the Food
Safety Act 1990 or the Agriculture Act 1970, LGC’s Life & Food Sciences Division is usually
involved, as disputes frequently relate to food matters, from
species identification to labelling.
Under terms agreed when LGC was privatised,
the Government Chemist is appointed in open competition by BIS and
is required to be a director of LGC, which is contracted to carry
out the necessary scientific work in support of the Government
Chemist function.
Electronic copies of the Annual Review of the
Government Chemist 2008, in which LGC’s work for BIS for the year
to 31 March 2009 is summarised, are available from LGC, Queens
Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LY. Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000.
Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767. Email: info@lgc.co.uk.