GENERAL-CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PREPARATION OF WATER CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS

A high degree of consistency in water measurements and analyses perfor med within European laboratories is essential for the implementation o f European Directives. In order to support Community policies, the Sta ndards, Measurements and Testing Programme (SM&T) of the European Comm ission encourages and supports technical collaboration between the lab oratories of EC Member States through the organisation of interlaborat ory studies and the production of certified reference materials (CRMs) . This paper provides an overview of the requirements to be taken into account in the preparation of water CRMs. Preliminary tests carried o ut for the production of new groundwater CRMs are presented.