Reference Materials

Reference materials are an essential component of any quality assurance system. Very few reference materials are available for genetic testing. The objective of this work package is to encourage the development of well-validated reference materials and to help make them available to end users: genetic testing laboratories, diagnostic kit manufacturers and external quality assessment scheme organizers. The work package will also explore regulatory issues around reference material development and distribution. To realize these aims, a series of major international symposia on reference materials for genetic testing will be organized during the course of the EuroGentest project, as well as smaller meetings of expert groups to focus on specific areas. Priorities will be set for which reference materials to develop, and specific projects to meet the high-priority needs will be supported.