Network of Reference Laboratories

NORMAN (2009) - 6th EU framework programme project (Network of reference laboratories and related organisations for monitoring and bio-monitoring of emerging environmental pollutants), http //www.norman-network.net... 

NORMAN - Network of Reference Laboratories for Monitoring of Emerging Substances... 

WG 2 Reference laboratories, with IFCC in the chair, has representatives from AdvaMed, CDC, CIPM, EDMA, EQAS, ILAC, JACR, NMIs. This WG will set criteria for accreditation of reference laboratories at the calibration level, establish contacts to form networks, and promote parallel examinations. Already three networks could be identified, namely on enzymes (IFCC), glycohaemoglobin Ale (IFCC), and cholesterol (CDC). 

It consists of three levels. At the top of the structure a network of national laboratories provides the primary chemical measurement standards and ensures that these are linked up with the international reference framework for chemical measurements. Via primary reference materials and reference measurements, a secondary level consisting of accredited chemical calibration laboratories, including verification authorities in the regulated area, is connected to the national standards level. 

In addition, it has become mandatory for companies or organizations wanting to have their biotech crops approved in Europe to provide reference material as well as a specific detection method. This is then tested and validated by ENGL, the European Network of GMO Laboratories, coordinated by the Community Reference Laboratory of the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy. This is laid down in Regulation 2003/1829/EC ... 

INHRR laboratories are Centres for International Reference on Biological Products, diagnosis kits for Andean area, and are part of the network of quality labs for Pan- American Sanitary Office (OPS) coordinated by the USP. They also participate in OMCL survey. 

Abstract Current developments in Germany for establishing a traceability system for chemical measurements are reported. The focus is on a dissemination mechanism which employs chemical calibration laboratories accredited within the framework of the German Calibration Service (DKD) and acting as multipliers between the national standards level and the user level by providing the user with calibration means which are traceable to the SI via national standards. At the national standards level, a network of high-level chemistry institutes coordinated by the national metrology institute, PTB, provides the primary references for chemical measurements. 

To have a network of laboratories at the top of a trace-ability system for chemical measurements instead of just the national metrology institute seems to be a requirement typical of metrology in chemistry and is under consideration in many industrialized countries, because the competence for chemical analysis in most countries (except U.S.A.) largely lies outside the domain of the metrology institutes. Another example that underpins this view is the development of metrology in chemistry in Switzerland, where the Swiss Federal Office of Metrology and Accreditation (METAS) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) jointly provide the national references for chemical measurements [2]. 

For non-SI traceable quantities the strategy for introducing traceability has to be different. This concerns a large number of analytes for which no defined molecular structure can be assigned, such as for many enzymes, proteo-homones, tumor markers and cardiac markers. The first and most important step must be the definition of the quantity before it is possible to establish reference systems (reference procedures, materials and reference network laboratories). Whenever possible, a global consensus on the definition of the measurand should be achieved. Consequently, definition of the measurand and establishment of reference systems is the objective of several working groups and committees of the Scientific Division of IFCC. 

The National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) used the CRMLN model to establish a reference laboratory network to standardize glycated hemoglobin (i.e., HbAlc) [33, 34], The purpose of the NGSP is to standardize HbAlc so that clinical laboratory results are comparable to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) where relationships were established to mean blood glucose and risk for vascular complications. 

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... 

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