How to Choose Your Reference Materials
Choosing the Right Reference Material
Understanding the differences between CRMs, RMs, and Setting-Up Samples — and when to use each one.
Goodfellow Reference Materials combines decades of specialised CRM production expertise with advanced laboratory testing and materials engineering capabilities. Built on the heritage of The Bureau of Analysed Samples (BAS) — a leader in steel and ferrous CRMs since 1935 — and the analytical precision of Suisse Technology Partners (Suisse TP) — specialists in aluminium alloys — we manufacture Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), Reference Materials (RMs), and Setting-Up Samples (SUS) that deliver traceable, standards-compliant measurements worldwide.
Our materials are produced under ISO 17034-compliant systems and supported by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories. They enable laboratories operating in regulated industrial environments — where measurement uncertainty, reproducibility, and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 are essential — to achieve defensible results.
What is a Certified Reference Material?
A Certified Reference Material (CRM) is reference material characterised by a metrologically valid procedure for one or more specified properties, accompanied by a certificate that states:
Certificate Includes
- ✓ Certified property values
- ✓ Associated expanded measurement uncertainty
- ✓ Metrological traceability to SI units or other recognised standards
- ✓ Statement of intended use
- ✓ Period of validity
CRMs Are Essential For
- ✓ Calibrating analytical instruments (spark OES, XRF, ICP)
- ✓ Validating analytical methods
- ✓ Assessing bias and proficiency testing
- ✓ Evaluating measurement uncertainty
- ✓ Demonstrating traceability in accredited laboratories
Use CRMs whenever formal metrological traceability, defensible uncertainty budgets, or regulatory compliance is required. At Goodfellow Reference Materials, CRM production leverages BAS's metallurgical depth in steels, cast irons, and ferro-alloys, combined with Suisse TP's expertise in aluminium cast and wrought alloys — ensuring broad matrix coverage and rigorous characterisation.
Understanding the Differences: CRM, RM & SUS
Certified Reference Material (CRM)
The highest level of reference material quality. Manufactured under ISO 17034 requirements.
- ✓ Full metrological certification
- ✓ Certified values with expanded uncertainty
- ✓ Documented traceability to SI units
Best For
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, regulatory compliance, calibration, method validation, and defensible results.
Reference Material (RM)
Homogeneous and stable, but without full metrological certification.
- ⚠ Informational values only — no uncertainty stated
- ⚠ Partial traceability only
- ✕ No full metrological certification
Best For
Routine QC, method development, internal checks, and training. More cost-effective for everyday use.
Setting-Up Sample (SUS)
Operational stability only. Not for traceable measurements or calibration.
- ⚠ Approximate concentrations only — no certified values
- ✕ No uncertainty provided
- ✕ No metrological traceability
Best For
Instrument standardisation, drift correction, daily setup, and performance monitoring. Lowest cost option.
Key Guidance
Choose CRMs
For traceability and compliance — essential in accredited labs or when defending analytical results.
Opt for RMs
For controlled, cost-effective internal quality control where full certification isn't mandated.
Rely on SUS
For consistent instrument performance and drift monitoring — but never substitute them for CRMs in calibration or validation.
All Goodfellow Reference Materials undergo rigorous homogeneity and stability testing, with certificates providing full statistical data including standard deviations and confidence intervals. Explore our unified catalogue to find steel-focused or aluminium-focused options, or contact our experts for guidance on the right material for your application.
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