4.1 This practice is designed to assist suppliers and users of reference materials by identifying the information necessary on the certificate of analysis of materials designated for use in ASTM test methods. This practice is specifically designed to ensure that materials suitable for use as either calibration or quality control standards are available. This practice does not define a specific certification protocol, but rather provides guidance in the development of adequate data to support the use of the material as either a calibration or quality control standard. Suppliers are referred to ISO Guide 35 for guidelines on acceptable certification protocols. End users are referred to ISO Guide 31 for a more complete description of the elements of typical certificates of analysis.

1.1 This practice covers the information that must be provided on certificates of analysis of reference materials designated to support ASTM methods. It provides end users of these materials with a defined set of data that is required to be on a certificate of analysis and provides information to assist the end user in evaluating the independence of the material. Similarly, it provides the suppliers of reference materials with a consistent format for the presentation of certification data.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.