Technical Divisions

Volunteer Opportunities

THE PATH TOWARD INCEPTION
The Technical Division on Reference Materials (TDRM) of AOAC INTERNATIONAL was established in 1993 as a result of a nexus of individual and organizational ideas and activities, centered around the need to assure analytical accuracy, between approximately 1976 and the fall of 1992. These included the established series of Biological and Environmental Reference Material Symposia (BERM), significant activity by AOAC in response to the Nutrition and Labeling Act of 1990, an expansion of the mission statement of AOAC and the recent approval of AOAC to establish Technical Divisions within AOAC. Read more about the history leading to its formation and the TDRM Vision Statement.

TDRM: THE EARLY YEARS
TDRM immediately began advancing its goals through participation in an AOAC task force to establish multi-laboratory data criteria for RMs, participation in another task force to investigate the feasibility of an AOAC Proficiency Test Sample Program, identifying areas of need for reference materials, coordinating and conducting BERM-6, planning and co-sponsorship of BERM-7 and support of continuing BERM meetings, presenting educational symposia, supporting workshops, developing a procedure to match reference materials to AOAC methods, participating in the development of several reference materials, planning for a database of reference materials, establishing an award to recognize achievement in the field of reference materials and launching the Reference Standard, an newsletter to communicate with members of TDRM. Read more about the early history of TDRM.

ACHIEVING ANALYTICAL EXCELLENCE
Achieving analytical excellence through proper, systematic application of reference materials is a central goal of TDRM. TDRM continues to provide cutting edge educational symposia on applications of reference materials and has continued its participation in AOAC workshops and BERM meetings. The TDRM Award was established to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of reference materials, and a student award has been developed to inspire interest and awareness earlier in career development. A member booklet has been produced and distributed on the use of in-house reference materials. Newsletters and ballots have been revised to make use of electronic distribution and submission methods, and the newsletter has been advanced as an educational tool to provide current information on needs and applications as well as updates on regulations affecting use and production of reference materials on an international basis. An electronic database of reference materials, searchable by matrix, analyte or OMA method is being made available on a development basis to TDRM members in 2009. Read more about recent activities of TDRM.