TY - JOUR A1 - Becker, Roland A1 - Nehls, Irene A1 - Dorgerloh, Ute T1 - Interlaboratory comparisons - demonstrating degree of equivalence N2 - The role of matrix reference materials in the process of demonstrating the degree of equivalence of measurement results obtained from intercomparisons is outlined, reviewing exemplary selected experience gained at BAM regarding the determination of organic contaminants in environmental matrices. The specific characteristics of reference materials employed in the process of demonstrating equivalence between laboratories in the course of proficiency testing as well as the development, comparison and validation of methods are elaborated. The demand is for series of appropriately characterised samples which are fit for the purpose and it is seen from representative examples that the utilisation of such tailor-made RM designed to tackle the specific need of an analytical problem dominates over certified matrix reference materials in this context. Concluding, the role of certified matrix reference materials in quality assurance is briefly looked at both from the userÂ’s and providersÂ’ points of view. KW - Certification KW - Equivalence KW - Method development KW - Proficiency testing KW - Reference materials PY - 2003 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-003-0580-5 SN - 0949-1775 SN - 1432-0517 VL - 8 SP - 150 EP - 155 PB - Springer CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-2848 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -