GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES FOR SECONDARY REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR ANALYSIS OFFOOD AND RELATED BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

Primary, secondary and tertiary reference materials (RM) play an impor tant role in quality controls of analytical measurements. Logistics of preparation and proper use of primary and secondary RMs are presented . Tertiary (i.e. in-house) control materials are useful as substitutes in the absence of recognized primary or secondary RMs. The lack of in terdisciplinary interaction during development of RMs (e.g. in specifi c areas such as foods), has an important impact on limiting the useful ness of certain types of RMs. The abundance of RMs in some countries a nd regions appears to have little effect on the existing paucity in RM s in other regions, and the underlying causes are outlined. The abilit y of a laboratory to produce good quality in-house RMs traceable to re cognized primary or secondary RMs is a direct measure of its quest for reliable analytical data. Therefore many laboratories should be encou raged to engage in secondary and tertiary RM activities designed to an swer specific measurement problems. In this context, assistance (e.g. practical training opportunities) in identifying simple methods of ana lyses for their efficacy in determining specific analytes is a source of help that can be extended to countries experiencing limitations in laboratory instrumentation.