Reference materials news

The wine industry faces significant threats from authenticity, adulteration and fraud, particularly through the illicit addition of exogenous sugars to grape must to artificially boost alcohol content. However, stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF-NMR) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), offer a powerful means of detecting such adulterations. By combining these techniques, researchers can determine the botanical and geographical origin of wine samples, providing a robust tool for authenticity testing in line with Regulation (EU) 1308/2013.

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The JRC produced a CRM, EURM®-023, a dried fish powder for the species Gadus morhua (Atlantic cod) to help fighting food fraud. This CRM allows verifying correct labelling of fresh fish and fish products, following Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013.

Authenticity, adulteration and fraud are significant challenges for the wine sector. The addition of exogenous sugar to grape must to raise the alcohol content after fermentation, may lead to illegal practices and fraud.

A new, JRC-developed reference material will support labs worldwide to compare medical tests for coeliac disease and improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Following the mad cow disease or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) a total feed ban of processed animal proteins (PAP) was introduced. Twenty years later, Commission Regulation (EU) No 2021/1372 allowed the use of PAPs derived from non-ruminant farmed animals as protein source for other non-ruminant animals. To enable the monitoring of the origin of proteins, the JRC released a new certified reference material (CRM) ERM-AD482k.

From routine blood tests to early disease detection, clinical reference materials are essential to timely and accurate diagnoses. The JRC has now developed ERM-AD457k/IFCC, a new certified reference material (CRM) for aspartate transaminase (AST), an enzyme found in the liver, kidneys, muscles, and heart. Elevated levels of AST in blood tests are associated with several liver disorders including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and liver cancer.

Scientists from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have taken a significant step towards improving the safety of consumer products containing nanomaterials with the release of two new certified reference materials (CRMs) for nanomaterial testing. These CRMs, specifically titanium dioxide (ERM-FD104) and barium sulfate (ERM-FD105) powders will enable laboratories to reliably identify nanomaterials, a crucial step in implementing the European Union’s regulatory framework for nanomaterials based on the Commission Recommendation 2022/C 229/01.