International comparability and acceptance of chemical measurement results

Mutual acceptance of chemical measurement results on the basis of international comparability is the common central aim of the international initiatives and organisations active in the field of metrology in chemistry, like CCQM, CITAC, EURACHEM, EUROMET and others. This is a consequence of globalisation of trade and industry and other human activities, which requires that measurements made in one country are accepted in other countries without repetition. The main goal is to create the necessary confidence in the reliability of the results so that they are accepted.

To achieve this goal comparability of chemical measurements based on traceability to recognised standards and hence on complete knowledge of uncertainty, must be established.

CITAC, an initiative for Co-operation on International Traceability in Analytical Chemistry, has an important coordinating role within this goal. CITAC was founded in 1993 and fosters collaboration between industry, universities, governments, metrology organisations, laboratory accreditation bodies and others in order to focus efforts and minimise duplication of work on the way to improved international comparability of chemical measurement results. A working group of at present 27 members with world-wide representation takes matters forward.

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