U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Standards

Quality assurance

Projects/Programs

Displaying 1 - 21 of 21
Photograph of a labeled amber bottle containing SRM 2429.

Activated Carbon and FGD Gypsum Standard Reference Materials

Completed
The role of mercury in the environment is now receiving close scrutiny because ultimately it can bioaccumulate as alkyl mercury in seafood with subsequent risk to human health through trophic transfer. Many industrial sources of mercury have been effectively reduced in recent years, but atmospheric
Photograph of a unit of SRM 3950 showing a labeled box and two frost covered amber bottles.

Clinical Measurements Quality Assurance Program

Ongoing
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) established the Clinical Measurements Quality Assurance Program (ClinQAP) to support the measurement needs of the clinical community. Participants measure concentrations of marker compounds, contaminants, metabolites in clinical samples (e.g
Photograph of SRM 3950 Vitamin B6 in Frozen Human Serum with labeled box and frosty capped bottles containing level 1 and level 2.

Development of Serum-Based SRMs to Assess Nutritional Status

Ongoing
Vitamin deficiencies are generally considered rare in the U.S., but a growing body of evidence suggests that certain deficiencies may be more prevalent than originally thought. For example, it has been estimated that 10 % to 15 % of adults over the age of sixty are affected by vitamin B 12
Dietary QAP

Dietary Supplement Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (DSQAP) Consortium

Ongoing
The objective of the DSQAP Consortium is to develop and evaluate measurement methods and standards to support quality and safety for the dietary supplement testing community. Approximately 75% of the U.S. population takes dietary supplements, including vitamins and mineral supplements, representing
Dietary QAP

Dietary Supplement Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (DSQAP)

Ongoing
Approximately 75% of the U.S. population takes dietary supplements, including vitamins and mineral supplements, representing an annual expenditure of more than $20 billion. Regulations, driven by reported cases of inaccurate labeling, adulteration, contamination (with pesticides, heavy metals, or
Photograph of SRM 2378 Fatty Acids in Human Serum showing three vials labeled Serum 1, Serum 2, and Serum 3.

Fatty Acids in Human Serum and Plasma Quality Assurance Program (FAQAP)

Completed
Interlaboratory comparison studies of the FAQAP focused on the measurement of 24 fatty acids in selected serum and plasma matrices. Frozen or freeze-dried serum or plasma samples were sent to laboratories for analysis together with control materials. Results were returned to NIST for data evaluation
Food Nutrition Safety QAP

Food Nutrition and Safety Measurements Quality Assurance Program (FNSQAP)

Ongoing
As part of a revamp of QAPs in 2021, NIST established the FNSQAP to support the NIST Food Safety Program and Measurements and Standards to Support Nutrition Labeling. Participants measure nutrient components (e.g., minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, dietary fiber) and contaminants (e.g., toxic

Gene Delivery Systems

Ongoing
Viral Vectors Viral vectors are a critical tool for delivering DNA or RNA into patient’s cells. Common viral vectors for gene therapy include adenovirus, lentivirus, and adeno associated virus. Administration of viral vectors can occur in vivo or ex vivo , such as for adeno associated virus or
Circle with the logo of Health Assessment Measurements Quality Assurance Program initials

Health Assessment Measurements Quality Assurance Program (HAMQAP)

Completed
Participants in the HAMQAP measured concentrations of nutritional and toxic elements, fat- and water-soluble vitamins, fatty acids, active and/or marker compounds, and contaminants in samples distributed by NIST.   Samples that represent human intake (e.g., foods, dietary supplements, tobacco) were
A white box labeled "8048 Human Fecal Material" lies open, with a tray of four plastic vials pulled out.

Human Gut Microbiome Reference Material

Ongoing
The most common measurements currently being used to describe these complex microbial communities are: NGS-based metagenomics Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics In either case, no fit-for-purpose standards exist that enable researchers to compare results generated across different laboratories and

Measurements and Standards for Botanical Dietary Supplements

Ongoing
Many consumers believe that botanical dietary supplements will improve their health and that these "natural" remedies are both effective and free from the side effects that may occur with other medications. There are occasional reports of inaccurate labeling, adulteration, contamination (with
Food Triangle

Measurements and Standards to Support Nutrition Labeling

Ongoing
Well-characterized certified reference materials are needed by laboratories in the food testing and nutrition communities to facilitate compliance with labeling laws and improve the accuracy of information provided on product labels so that consumers can make good choices. As a result of the
MMQAP figure

Micronutrients Measurement Quality Assurance Program (MMQAP)

Completed
The MMQAP supported the long-term (months to years) reliability of selected fat- or water-soluble vitamin measurements in human serum and plasma. Results from the comparison studies helped participants to make accurate clinical and health-care decisions as well as to maintain and improve their
Montage of photographs depicting eggs, almonds, grain, milk, strawberries, fish, peanuts, and soybeans.

NIST Food Protein Allergen Program

Ongoing
Food allergen management is an increasingly important economic and public health concern; therefore, accurate and reliable allergen measurements are a crucial component of the management pathway. Traditional methods for food allergen detection are based on immunoassay techniques and are linked to a
Cannabis

NIST Tools for Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance

Ongoing
Since the 1970s, cannabis (marijuana and hemp) and its constituent, Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, have been classified as Schedule I controlled substances. Seized evidence is tested by forensic laboratories, which verify the identity of the plant through macro- and microscopic evaluation and the

US TAG for ISO/TC 334: Reference Materials

Ongoing
Get involved: Interested US Stakeholders may participate in the US TAG at no cost. Membership provides access to all ISO/TC 334 and US TAG documents, including standards under development. Please click here to join or renew your membership. Contribute to standards development : Please click here to
Photograph of SRM 972a Vitamin D metabolites in Frozen Human Serum showing a labeled box and four bottles labeled level 1 to level 4.

Vitamin D Metabolites Quality Assurance Program (VitDQAP)

Completed
Interlaboratory comparison studies of the VitDQAP supported the reliability of vitamin D measurements, including determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and 3- epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in human serum and plasma. Results from the comparison studies helped participants to make
Was this page helpful?