Preparation and use of reference materials

Two three-day training courses on the preparation and use of reference materials will be held in Geel, Belgium, from 20 to 22 May 1999 and from 14 to 16 October 1999. The training courses will be supported by the European Commission, DG XII, within the framework of the specific RTD programme in the field of standards, measurements and testing (SMT).

The aim of the courses is to provide, in a series of lectures, workshops and studies, all the relevant information related to the in-house preparation and use of various reference materials, an essential tool in the process of the quality control of chemical analysis. The scope of the training provided will cover the analysis of (in)organic compounds in environmental, biomedical, clinical and food matrices.

Topics to be covered in detail will include:

- The role of reference materials in the quality control of chemical analysis;
- The theoretical and practical aspects of reference material production and testing;
- How to use reference materials in routine analysis;
- Case studies on environmental, biomedical and food matrices.

During the course participants will also have the opportunity to visit the materials preparation facility at the Institute of Reference Materials and Measurements, which forms part of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.
For further information, please contact:

MERMAYDE
Dr Kees Kramer
PO Box 109
1860 AC Bergen
The Netherlands
Tel./Fax +31-72-5818182
E-mail: mermayde@xs4all.nl