Reference Laboratories, National

The standard stocks of the positive and negative serum were obtained from the State Research Institute of Biotechnology and Strains of Microorganisms Control of the Ministry of Agroindustrial Policy of Ukraine as well as from the National Reference Laboratory for EBI (Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Germany). 

Routine or field laboratories involved in the ANP are controlled in each Member State by at least one National Reference Laboratory (NRL) designated by the National Government (51, 52). National Laboratories are in turn responsible for the standards maintained in any other laboratories in their own country that are involved in the National Sampling Plan program. National Reference laboratories coordinate standards and methods of analysis for each group of residues, and may undertake work on all or limited classes of the veterinary drug areas listed in Directive 86/469/EEC. 

This example is of a traceability [1] protocol [2] for the chemical measurement of an element by a primary method of measurement [3]. It can be used for the certification of a single-element reference material by a national reference laboratory. This protocol relates to a very pure strontium nitrate solution, stabilized by 10% (by volume) nitric acid1. This solution is to be certified for the amount of strontium substance n(Sr) per unit mass of aqueous solution m (sol). The general measurement method described is based in part on the experience of certifying a currently available certified reference material (CRM) [4], Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3153a [5],... 

The core of the European food measurement infrastructure is the system of European Community Reference Laboratories (CRLs) for residues. They are designed to improve and implement analytical methodologies and the scientibc basis of residue control. The CRLs act via networks of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for residues in food monitoring activities. The accreditation infrastructure is also an important component of the European Acquis... 

A system of Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) and National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) is being established to achieve uniformity in the application and the performance of laboratories in the official control. This system has become fully functional in 2006 with the contact materials laboratory at the Joint Research Centre IHCP in Ispra acting as CRL (http //www.crl-fcm.jrc.it). 

For food safety and quality control, a number of other CRMs would be very much welcomed. Many requests are made for matrix matched CRMs and PTMs. Especially official food and feed control laboratories and moreover the Community and National Reference Laboratories are dependent on fit-for-purpose validated analytical methods and real matrix reference materials. 

Figure 8.1.3 The role of national reference laboratories is crucial in the appraisal of emerging risks...

A national reference laboratory for monitoring IDD has been set up at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Delhi. 

A. Specific levels. Laboratory tests for GHB levels are not readily available but can be obtained from a few national reference laboratories. Serum levels greater than 50 mg/L are associated with loss of consciousness, and levels over 260 mg/L usually produce unresponsive coma. In a small series of accidental overdoses, awakening occurred as levels fell into the 75-150 mg/L range. GBL and 1,4-BD are rapidly converted in vivo to GHB. The duration of detection of GHB in blood and urine is short (6 and 12 hours, respectively, after therapeutic doses). 

A good reference material has a number of desirable properties including a well-documented value, avmlability in a suitable form for analysis, homogeneity, stability, low toxicity, and traceability to a national reference laboratory (NRL). In traditional DSC and TMA, metals like indium, tin, and zinc meet these criteria. These metals are not suitable for temperature calibration for localised thermal analysis, however, as they may contaminate the probe tip thus changing its resistance and defeating the object of calibration.. 

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