Quality assurance, traceability and metrological chemistry

Following a number of high profile examples of the failure of analytical chemistry to deliver results that were fit for purpose, international efforts have been made to understand the fundamentals of measurement science applied to chemistry. The way has been led predominantly by National Metrology Institutes, for example the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) in the USA and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) in England, and by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) and EURACHEM.

The impact on trade and the desperate need for comparability of results both nationally and trans-nationally has driven the research. The existence of international bodies, in particular the structures around the Treaty of the Metre (which leads to the SI system of units), have caused this research to be truly international. In addition to reports published by ISO, CCQM (Consultative Committee for the Amount of Substance), and EURACHEM, the international journal Accreditation and Quality Assurance has become the leading forum for research into aspects of metrology in chemistry.

• A survey of the current state and probable direction of development of research activity internationally within metrology

• An outline of proposed research directions and the desirable network configurations, infrastructure and facilities to support research in metrology

• The probable national benefits from the research in metrology, and mechanisms for capturing these benefits

[ Back ] [ Up ]