TS ISO 17034

TS ISO 17034 is an international standard focused on the competence and consistent operation of reference material producers. It is concerned not only with making a material, but with the organisational and technical capability needed to produce reference materials that are well characterised, traceable and suitable for their intended use. Reference materials play an important role in measurement quality, including method verification, calibration and interlaboratory comparisons.

What competence means for a reference material producer

In general technical terms, competence combines trained personnel, controlled processes, suitable equipment, documentation and quality oversight. For a reference material producer, this typically involves selecting candidate materials, assessing homogeneity and stability, managing value assignment, and maintaining traceability throughout production. The standard provides a framework for dependable management and technical control in this specialised field.

Why the operational side matters

The scope of this standard is the general requirements for reference material producers, so it addresses the producer’s reliable system rather than a single material type. This helps distinguish certified reference materials from other forms of reference materials in practical use. Disciplined process control across production, characterisation, packaging, storage and distribution is central to the value of a reference material in metrology and laboratory practice.

This record corresponds to the TS ISO 17034 edition based on ISO 17034:2016 and is marked as withdrawn. Even so, the subject remains important for understanding how reference materials are produced to support measurement quality.