ESSLAB Appointed by Waters ERA – Strengthening Quality & Compliance Support for UK Laboratories
ESSLAB has been appointed by Waters ERA, a global leader in Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) and Proficiency Testing (PT), as their primary distribution partner.
This development marks a significant step forward in supporting UK laboratories operating under ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17043, ISO/IEC 15189, and MCERTS quality frameworks.
With more than 40 years of analytical and technical experience, ESSLAB has long been a trusted supplier of high-quality CRMs, consumables, and technical expertise. Our collaboration with Waters ERA expands the depth of support available to analysts by integrating one of the widest global portfolios of ISO 17034 CRMs and ISO 17043-accredited proficiency testing schemes.
What This Means for UK Accredited Laboratories
The ESSLAB–Waters ERA partnership directly strengthens our ability to support to meet our clients requirements through:
1. Expanded Access to ISO 17034 Certified Reference Materials
Waters ERA offers one of the most comprehensive CRM catalogues available globally, including:
· Inorganic standards
· Organic and environmental matrices
· Wastewater, drinking water, soil, air, and biosolid CRMs
· Custom formulations for method validation and troubleshooting
This breadth enables analysts to select matrices and concentrations that closely match their routine samples—improving measurement confidence across all stages of the analytical workflow.
2. A Global Leader in ISO 17043 Proficiency Testing
Waters ERA operates a wide range of PT studies covering:
· Environmental chemistry
· Water and wastewater
· Soil and solid matrices
· Clinical and biological testing
· Metals, organics, nutrients, microbiology and more
Regular participation in ERA PT schemes supports laboratories in maintaining technical validity and provides strong, widely recognised evidence for UKAS assessments.
3. Local Support Coupled With Global Quality Systems
ESSLAB brings four decades of working directly with UKAS-accredited laboratories, offering:
· Technical guidance for CRM selection and preparation
· Product expertise across complex and emerging analytical challenges
· Reliable UK-based stock for faster delivery
· Dedicated customer support teams who understand accreditation requirements
This ensures that UK and NI analysts gain the benefits of a global supplier with the practicality and accessibility of a local partner.
4. Improved Consistency, Reliability & Analytical Integrity
The combined offering enhances:
· Method validation and uncertainty evaluation
· Traceability of calibration and QC processes
· PT preparedness and ongoing competence evidence
· Alignment with best-practice global quality systems
In short, analysts receive end-to-end support for achieving and maintaining robust scientific measurement.
For laboratories focused on quality, reproducibility, and accreditation, the ESSLAB–Waters ERA partnership represents a significant strengthening of the UK supply chain for reference materials and proficiency testing.
This collaboration enables:
✔ Faster access to globally trusted CRMs
✔ Easier planning of PT participation across the year
✔ More precise matrix matching for method development
✔ Better alignment with UKAS expectations
✔ Stronger evidence for measurement confidence
It is an exciting development for analysts across the UK and Northern Ireland—and one that reinforces our shared mission to support laboratories in producing defensible, compliant, high-quality data.
Our team is available to help analysts select the most suitable CRMs and PT programmes for their specific accreditation needs.
Get in touch!
01702 555577 | sales@esslab.com | Live Chat
Leave a comment