Are reference materials and certified reference materials identical?

Reference materials and certified reference materials are not identical, and the distinction between them is crucial in various scientific and regulatory contexts. Reference materials are substances or materials that possess specific characteristics and are used to check the performance of a measurement or to calibrate instruments. They may not be accompanied by formalized trust in their values.

On the other hand, certified reference materials are a specific subset of reference materials that come with a documented certificate. This certificate guarantees that the material has been analyzed and characterized to provide reliable values with known uncertainties, making them suitable for validation of measurement methods and quality assurance.

This difference underscores the importance of certification in providing a higher level of reliability and traceability in measurements. Therefore, while both types of materials serve vital roles in laboratory settings, they are not interchangeable or identical due to the formal certification process associated with certified reference materials. This distinction is significant in ensuring the validity and accuracy of experimental results.