CITAC - Cooperationon International Traceability in Analytical Chemistry - arose out of aninternational workshop held in association with the Pittsburgh Conferencein Atlanta in March 1993. The aim of this workshop was to discuss how analyticalactivities could be developed to meet the needs of the 21st century, andit identified a wide variety of issues to be addressed to ensure that analyticalmeasurements made in different countries or at different times are comparable.These range from the development of traceable reference materials and methodsto the harmonisation of analytical quality practices.
The CITAC Initiative aimsto foster collaboration between existing organisation to improve the internationalcomparability of chemical measurement. A Working Group takes matters forwardand its initial activities have centred on a few specific high priorityactivities. The first tasks included the compilation of a directory ofcertified reference materials under development; preparation of qualitysystem guidelines for the production of reference materials; preparationof a directory of international chemical metrology activities; definingcriteria for establishing traceability to the mole; and the preparationof an international guide to quality in analytical chemistry.
Many of these activitiesare of a strategic nature, laying the ground for the improvement of internationalanalytical measurement. This reflects the added geographical complexitiesassociated with a world-wide organisation, such as greater diversity inculture and in technical approach, and frequently long timescales associatedwith its activities. Nevertheless, if the full benefits of improved analyticalmeasurement are to be realised internationally, a truly global approachis needed, and there is a clear role for CITAC to play in this respect.
