Analytical labs measure a lot of things, but measurement confidence is everything. For environmental and water testing labs, the difference between an actionable result and a costly false positive often comes down to two things: using certified reference materials (CRMs) and participating in external proficiency testing (PT). Graham B Jackson Pty Ltd (GBJPL) supplies ERA (Waters ERA) Water-certified reference materials and PT access in Australia — a combination that helps labs prove their data are accurate, traceable and defensible.
What ERA provides (at a glance)
ERA — now part of Waters Corporation — has offered PT and CRM solutions to laboratories since the 1970s. Their product range includes environmental and process water CRMs (for parameters like conductivity, turbidity, TOC, nutrients and trace organics) and scheduled PT studies that run throughout the year so labs can choose a program that fits their workflow. These offerings are specifically designed to support regulatory compliance, accreditation and routine quality assurance.
Why certified reference materials (CRMs) are non-negotiable
A CRM is a material with one or more property values certified by a technically valid procedure, and—importantly—accompanied by a certificate of analysis and uncertainty statement. Using CRMs lets labs:
Verify instrument calibration and method performance under real-world conditions.
Quantify measurement uncertainty and bias.
Produce documentation required for ISO/IEC 17025 (testing labs) and other regulatory audits.
ERA’s water CRMs are manufactured and accompanied by the supporting documentation labs need to demonstrate traceability and uncertainty, which is critical when regulators, customers or courts ask, “How do you know your number is correct?”
Why proficiency testing (PT) complements CRMs
CRMs test your system; PT tests your whole operation. In a PT (often called an inter-lab or “blind” study), labs analyse unknown samples and compare results across an interlaboratory network. Good PT schemes identify method weaknesses, analyst training needs, and system-level biases that single-point CRMs might miss. ERA runs frequent PT studies for environmental and process water and publishes schedules so labs can plan participation across months and analytes. Regular PT success is also a cornerstone for maintaining accreditation.
Accreditation and independent verification: what ERA’s accreditations mean for your lab
ERA’s PT and CRM products are covered by recognised accreditations (ISO/NELAC and others). These independent accreditations confirm that ERA’s procedures for producing CRMs and running PT schemes meet internationally accepted standards, which in turn strengthens the credibility of a lab’s validation and audit evidence. In short: when you use ERA products, you’re not just buying a sample—you’re buying an accredited quality system behind that sample.
GBJPL’s role in Australia: logistics, local support and product access
Graham B Jackson Pty Ltd has been an accredited supplier of certified reference materials in Australia since 1982. Graham B Jackson Pty Ltd (GBJPL) distributes ERA and other CRM brands to Australian laboratories, handling import permits, customs, and local technical support, which shortens lead times and simplifies purchasing for busy QA teams. For labs in Australia needing ERA water testing CRMs or PT enrolment, Graham B Jackson Pty Ltd (GBJPL) acts as the local partner that brings accredited, traceable materials to your bench.
Making the practical case measurable benefits
Reduced rework and recalls: routine use of CRMs to check calibration and method performance reduces outliers and costly re-runs.
Audit readiness: COAs and uncertainty data from CRMs, as well as PT performance reports, are primary evidence during ISO/IEC 17025 audits.
Benchmarking: PT reports enable you to compare your performance with that of your peers and identify systemic shifts before they become regulatory issues. ERA’s frequent PT schedule makes this a practical, repeatable practice.
How to integrate ERA CRMs and PT into your lab program
Map analytes and control points (instrument, method, matrix).
Select ERA CRMs for calibration checks and QC runs (e.g., conductivity, turbidity, TOC or targeted analytes).
Enrol in ERA PT studies relevant to your scope and schedule participation quarterly or biannually, depending on criticality.
Use PT reports and CRM COAs to update method SOPs, corrective actions and measurement uncertainty statements.
Graham B Jackson Pty Ltd (GBJPL) can help with product selection, supply logistics and linking ERA product cycles to your audit calendar.
Final thought
Data you can’t defend isn’t data you should use. ERA-certified materials and ERA proficiency testing — delivered locally through Graham B Jackson Pty Ltd (GBJPL)— give Australian water and environmental labs the documentation, traceability and independent verification they need to prove their results. Whether your priority is regulatory compliance, internal quality improvement, or building customer confidence, pairing CRMs with regular PT participation is a data-driven, accreditation-friendly strategy that pays for itself in reliability and reduced risk.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@gbjpl.com.au