Advent is pleased to announce the launch of another new episode in Dr Mohanty’s Masterclass — a campaign wherein Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty, Director – Technical at Advent, explores a specific aspect of analytical science in depth. Episode 17 addresses Reference Materials and Standards: the often-overlooked foundation of accurate measurement.
Titled 'From Reference to Result: The Foundation of Accuracy in Analytical Science', the session establishes a critical yet frequently underexamined principle — that the reliability of any analytical result is only as strong as the reference material it is anchored to.
Dr. Mohanty walks through the taxonomy of reference systems, distinguishing between Reference Materials (RM), Certified Reference Materials (CRM), Reference Standards (RS), and Certified Reference Standards (CRS). He articulates the distinct frameworks of metrological traceability and regulatory compliance, clarifying why CRMs and CRS serve different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably — a point of significant practical consequence for regulated laboratory environments.
"In laboratories, we question instruments, methods, and analysts — but rarely the reference itself," said Dr. Mohanty. "Yet this is precisely where hidden risk accumulates. A poor reference material can lead to systematic error, out-of-specification results, and ultimately wrong decisions."
The session also addresses the principle of fitness for purpose — selecting the right standard for the right application — and the growing challenge of characterizing reference materials for emerging molecules and specialised compounds where pharmacopoeial standards may not yet exist.
Traceability is presented as a cornerstone of measurement integrity: the unbroken chain of comparisons that links a laboratory result to a globally recognised standard, as required by ISO, NABL, and international regulatory bodies.
Dr.Mohanty’s Masterclass is designed for analytical scientists, QC professionals, laboratory directors, and R&D teams across the pharmaceutical, food, environmental, and materials sectors. The next episode will move from understanding to application, exploring how Advent's capabilities in reference material characterization address the real-world needs of modern analytical science.
About Advent
Advent is a Fine and Specialty Chemicals manufacturing company with deep expertise in producing a variety of chemicals that cater to the needs of regulated industries including pharmaceuticals, research, environmental testing, and advanced materials.