Our National Role
We play a vital role in the UK’s scientific infrastructure, supporting the work of the Government Chemist and delivering trusted expertise in chemical and biological measurement.
Through the development of reference materials, standardised methodologies and collaborative partnerships, we empower progress across life sciences, green industries, security and food sectors. Our work ensures trusted and proven answers to the most complex scientific issues.
Our designated role
As the UK’s Designated Institute for chemical and biological measurement, we play a crucial role in the global measurement community. Operating as part of the UK National Measurement System, we collaborate with the UK’s National Metrology Institute and fellow Designated Institutes to uphold national standards. Our chemical and biological measurement expertise contributes directly to the global efforts of the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), helping to ensure consistent, reliable measurements across borders and scientific disciplines.
Chemical and Biological Metrology programme
Our Chemical and Biological Metrology programme, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), supports the UK’s current chemical and biological measurement infrastructure and addresses emerging measurement needs to support innovation.
Reference measurements
Our reference measurements are provided using our in-house methods, many of which are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 (held by our host organisation LGC).
Chemical analysis (inorganic)
- A wide range of analytes and matrices
- Metals, nutritional elements, trace elements, acid soluble trace elements by ICP-MS
- Inorganic Analytes by Inorganic High Accuracy IDMS by ICP-MS/ICP-TOF-MS
- Inorganic Analytes by Exact Single Matched (ESM) Standard by ICP-MS/ICP-TOF-MS/ICP-OES
- Metallic nanoparticles (Au) by spICP-MS
- Inorganic arsenic in rice materials by HPLC-ICP-MS and Exact Standard Matching
Chemical analysis (organic)
- Organic analytes using Organic High accuracy IDMS
- ISO/IEC 17025 (calibration) methods, including
- forensic alcohols standards by dichromate, purity of organic materials by NMR or HPLC, peptide mass fraction by GC-MS, determination of water content by Karl-Fischer, apparent density by pyknometry
Biological analysis
- Quantification of extracted DNA (8-80,000 copies) in solution using digital PCR (inc. bacterial, mammalian, plant/crop, plasmid and viral DNA)
- Quantification of HER 2 copy number concentrate and copy number variation in extracted genomic DNA
Reference materials
We develop and produce reference materials that underpin complex measurements and support legislation. Many of our reference materials fall within our scope of accreditation to ISO 17034 as a reference material producer. Many of the analytical methods used to characterise our materials fall under LGCs accreditation to ISO 17025 for testing or calibration. Our reference materials are currently sold under two brands: LGC materials and ERM materials.
National Reference Laboratory function
The NML at LGC acts as a National Reference Laboratory under retained Regulation (EC) No 2017/625. This regulation covers official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules. LGC is the UK NRL for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed and for added water in poultry.
Get in touch
If you’re interested in exploring partnership opportunities with the NML or learning more about our measurement capabilities, we’d love to hear from you.