An interlaboratory characterization (certification) campaign to establish the elemental composition of a new series of agricultural/food reference materials

Summary Ten new Agricultural/Food Reference Materials (RM) have been characterized with respect to their elemental compositions in an extensive interlaboratory characterization (certification) campaign. The philosophy applied to determine best estimate and informational concentration values was the expert analyst-independent method approach. Chemical analyses were conducted in two initiating laboratories and by analysts in 73 cooperating laboratories applying 13 major classes of independently different analytical methods; approximately 13,000 results were obtained for a large number of nutritionally, toxicologically and environmentally pertinent elements. Results were assessed in depth using technical judgment and statistical criteria. A total of 213 best estimate values, with associated uncertainties for a single future observation, and 65 informational values were obtained. Concentrations were measured for 34 elements in 10 materials which represent a wide range of matrices and elemental contents and significantly augment the world repertoire of reference materials.Contribution no. 92–214 from Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research