NIST-traceable standards are reference materials certified to specific values laid out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). They are designed specifically for standardized instrument calibration and quality assurance protocols aimed at eliminating measurement uncertainties. The implication with NIST-traceable standards is that all calibrations are part of an unbroken chain of comparisons from the manufacturer through to the end-user, which is where the term traceability comes from.
Understanding NIST-Traceability
Traceability is a crucial parameter in elemental analysis and wet chemistry applications. When we talk about the traceability of measurements, we are referring to systemic reliability – and subsequently the reliability of your results – relative to an accepted set of standards. This is the basic premise of standardized metrology and the international system of units (SI). Yet the traceability of chemical measurements is a relatively new concept compared to physical parameters.
NIST develops and disseminates realizations of the SI for basic measurement quantities and uncertainties. This encompasses the federal standard reference material (SRM) program, which continuously aims to deliver avenues for total traceability in method development and validation for analytical facilities. NIST-traceable standards fall under this bracket.
There are several criteria that must be met in order to ensure full NIST-traceability, and these must be met at every stage of the traceability chain – not just by the end-user:
- The uncertainty of measurement at each touchpoint in the chain must be calculated and stated explicitly to enable an overall estimation of uncertainty;
- Each step must be carried out according to documented procedures and all results should be recorded;
- Facilities in the chain must be accredited or be able to prove technical competence.
Why is NIST Traceability Important?
“NIST traceability” is synonymous with SI-traceability which is what links the certified values for the CRM back to the International System of Units (SI). NIST, or the National Institute for Standards and Technology, is the American National Metrology Institute (NMI) and their certified reference materials trademark-named Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). There are many other NMIs around the world, but regardless of their country of origin, the task of the NMI is to produce primary certified standards which are directly traceable to the SI. Those primary standards can then be used by CRM manufacturers, and others, to establish SI-traceability of their own standards, by comparison to the primary standard, to ensure the accuracy of their measurements and the certainty in their certified values. All Inorganic Ventures CRMs are NIST-traceable, and many are certified using two or more methods, comparing against multiple NIST SRMs for added certainty.
How to Ensure NIST Traceability in Your Measurements
To ensure NIST-traceability in your measurements, ensure you are using certified standards from a CRM manufacturer that is accredited to ISO 17034. The manufacturer should be able to provide you with their ISO 17034 Scope of Accreditation which should include the analytes and/or properties you require to be certified (NIST-traceable) in your standards. Inorganic Ventures ISO 17034 Scope of Accreditation can be found on our website here.
The Benefits of Using NIST-Traceable Standards
The use of NIST-traceable standards is critical for obtaining accurate, reliable results in your quantitative analyses.
Improved Measurement Accuracy
Using SI-traceable standards is the only way to ensure accuracy in your measurements because these standards are measured and certified against the ultimate “gold standard”, the International System of Units.
Enhanced Quality Control
Knowing which standards and certified values you can trust is critical when trying to diagnose issues with your other standards or samples. Our team of technical support is always here for you to help you wade through the data and understand how to interpret your results.
Regulatory Compliance
NIST traceability through a documented chain of comparisons helps to ensure that standards used are accurate, reliable, and compliant, as NIST guidelines are routinely developed to assist agencies in building regulatory compliance.
Accredited manufacturers also handle and provide reliable regulatory documentation, including Certificates of Analysis and Safety Data Sheets. This lifts a heavy burden from laboratory staff and provides support for certifications and regulatory audits by ensuring documentation is available and readily accessible at all times.
Increased Confidence in Results
Knowing which standards and certified values you can trust is critical when trying to diagnose issues with your other standards or samples. Our team of technical support is always here for you to help you wade through the data and understand how to interpret your results. We keep retains from each lot of our products so if a question does arise, we will analyze your exact product lot in-house to make ensure stability
Standardization Across Industries
SI traceability through agencies such as NIST is crucial in ensuring universal harmony in measurement. By standardizing units of measure, the International System of Units provides the ability to ensure measurements are globally consistent, accurate, comparable, and compliant with legal and industry standards.
Traceability in Calibration Procedures
SI-traceable, certified calibration solutions are a major advantage in ensuring data collected is precise and valid, especially in industries where unreliable results can have major consequences for the industry and the public. Ensuring you are measuring against an accurate standard can reduce your risk for error, minimize your uncertainties, bolster your regulatory compliance, and increase confidence in your method.
Minimizing Measurement Uncertainty
Every step of an analytical process brings with it a contribution to overall uncertainty - the longer the chain of comparisons, the greater the uncertainty. Inorganic Ventures specializes in custom standards that are directly traceable to the SI through NIST, meaning we can offer smaller uncertainties and increased confidence in your method and results.
Global Recognition and Consistency
SI traceability helps to ensure consistency across methods, across labs, across industries, and across borders. Comparison to internationally respected metrology institutes such as NIST allows analysts to increase confidence and ensure globally consistent efforts toward accurate, reliable, and comparable data.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
The concept of NIST-traceability is straightforward, yet daunting. It relies on total accountability, robust documentation, and demonstrable technical acuity at every stage of the chain. What this means for NIST-traceable standard manufacturers, is that we have a duty to support all claims of traceability with clear documentation proving credibility. This relies on robust, internal quality assurance programs. For end-users, it means you have a responsibility to assess the validity of our claims to preserve the unbroken chain of comparisons which forms the backbone of NIST-traceability.
NIST-Traceable Standards from Inorganic Ventures
Inorganic Ventures is a tried-and-trusted CRM manufacturer with world-class quality assurance processes. We specialize in creating custom solutions for a wide range of analytical applications, with over 55,000 blends suitable for elemental analysis and wet chemistry. Contact us today if you would like to order NIST-traceable standards for your application.