Sales of SATRA test consumables reach all-time high

High quality test materials recognised as vital to accurate assessments.

The demand for SATRA reference materials and test consumables has grown considerably over the past two years, with sales of these items during the first four months of 2018 being some 30 per cent higher than in the same period of 2016. This figure is evidence that many test laboratories acknowledge the importance of using high quality reference materials and consumable items that satisfy relevant test methods.

“The importance of using the appropriate reference materials and consumables is often overlooked,” said SATRA chief executive, Austin Simmons. “While we have always made a big effort to provide good quality materials, we have come across a number of laboratories using non-compliant consumables, and SATRA has issued warnings regarding these poor quality materials being a false economy and leading to unreliable results.

“Previously, we supplied SATRA members predominantly, but we have recognised a global need for properly certified and traceable reference consumables, and have extended our range and customer base accordingly. It is not enough to have an appropriate and correctly calibrated test machine if the reference materials used for the testing are poor quality or do not meet the specification called up in the test method. At best, the results will be variable, and at worst could mask a serious safety issue. Our consumables have been carefully selected and thoroughly checked to ensure they meet the requirements. This often involves a lengthy checking process and each batch is supplied with a calibration certificate or declaration of conformity.”

SATRA’s reference materials and consumables range from ‘control’ materials (against which the performance of the test sample is compared) to materials that are an integral part of the test machine or procedure. Where applicable, SATRA consumables are checked and certified before despatch, and relevant certificates are provided with each order.

The production of SATRA consumables benefits from the organisation’s considerable expertise gained from decades of research, the development of over 440 SATRA test methods and long-standing testing experience accrued in SATRA’s own commercial testing laboratories. In addition, SATRA accredits over 190 test laboratories to a SATRA accreditation system worldwide, giving SATRA a broad visibility of the quality of consumables being used.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 46 of the July/August 2018 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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