Reference Materials (RMs) are used in all stages of the measurement process, for method validation, calibration and quality control.  They are used for assessing laboratory proficiency through interlaboratory comparisons and are a source of metrological traceability.

This document has been prepared for use by accreditation bodies (ABs) applying ISO 17034:2016 for accreditation of producers of reference materials.  It gives guidance on the use of reference materials in testing, measurement and inspection.