TS EN ISO 17034

TS EN ISO 17034 sets general requirements for the competence of reference material producers and for the consistent operation of their production activities. It addresses the quality assurance framework under which reference materials are produced and defines the competence expectations for organizations that make them. The scope covers the production of all reference materials, including certified reference materials.

What competence means in reference material production

Reference materials are used to calibrate measurement systems, validate methods, support traceability, and strengthen interlaboratory comparisons. Certified reference materials go a step further by providing stated property values together with associated uncertainty information. In practice, the technical value of a reference material depends on factors such as homogeneity, stability, characterization, and documentation. This standard does not prescribe a single test protocol; instead, it establishes the general competence requirements a producer must satisfy to operate reliably.

How the scope applies in practice

• It applies to all types of reference materials, including certified reference materials.
• It is aimed at consistent, controlled production activities.
• It forms part of the producer’s general quality assurance system.
• It focuses on technical competence, organization, and production consistency.

In metrology, accreditation, and quality assurance work, reference materials help make measurement results comparable and defensible. TS EN ISO 17034 defines the producer-side competence expectations that support that role, rather than the analytical methods used by laboratories that rely on the materials.