ICP Standards & Inorganic Reference Standards
“We developed a novel quality control process using custom standards we formulated in partnership with CPI. It has saved us thousands of dollars in consumables this year. Great. But the best part is the time we save using this new process, which wouldn’t be possible if CPI hadn’t worked with us where another supplier couldn’t.”
ICP-OES & ICP-MS Standards
CPI International manufactures high-quality inorganic reference standards for ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis. Our standards are manufactured in the USA and are available as single-element, multi-element, calibration, interference, tuning, and quality-control standards.
What is an ICP standard?
An ICP standard is a reference solution with a known concentration of one or more elements, used to calibrate and verify instruments that measure elemental concentrations by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques.
For example, an ICP standard might contain:
- 1,000 ug/mL Cu (Copper)
- 1,000 ug/mL Zn (Zinc)
- 10,000 ug/mL Pd (Palladium)
- 100 ug/mL Hg (Mercury)
These standards are used to establish the relationship between an instrument's response and the actual concentration of an element in a sample.
What are ICP standards used for?
ICP standards are primarily used for:
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Instrument calibration
A laboratory analyzes standards at known concentrations to create a calibration curve. -
Accuracy verification
A known standard can be analyzed as a quality-control sample to confirm that the instrument is producing accurate results. -
Method validation and verification
Standards help demonstrate that an analytical method performs within specified requirements. -
Instrument performance monitoring
Laboratories periodically analyze standards to detect changes in sensitivity, drift, or other performance issues.
Reference Material (RM) vs. Certified Reference Material (CRM)
A reference material (RM) is a material with one or more known property values that is suitable for use in measurement or quality control applications. A certified reference material (CRM) is a higher-level reference material that has been characterized using validated methods, with certified values, measurement uncertainty, and traceability documented in a certificate. CRMs provide the highest level of confidence for calibration, validation, and quality control applications.
What are single-element standards and their purpose?
Single-element standards are reference solutions that contain a known concentration of one specific element, such as arsenic, lead, copper, or iron. They are commonly used for instrument calibration, method development, interference correction, and quality control in ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and other elemental analysis techniques. Single-element standards provide flexibility when laboratories need to prepare custom calibration solutions or require precise control over individual analyte concentrations.
What are multi-element standards and their purpose?
Multi-element standards are reference solutions that contain known concentrations of multiple elements in a single solution, such as a combination of metals, trace elements, or analytes commonly measured together. They are widely used for ICP-OES and ICP-MS calibration, routine analysis, and quality control applications. Multi-element standards help laboratories save time, simplify preparation, and improve efficiency by allowing multiple elements to be calibrated and verified from a single solution.
What are custom standards and their purpose?
Custom multi-element or blended standards are reference solutions prepared with specific combinations and concentrations of elements based on a laboratory’s analytical requirements. They allow laboratories to create calibration standards, quality control solutions, or method-specific standards that match their testing needs without preparing multiple solutions from individual components. Benefits include improved efficiency, reduced preparation time, fewer handling steps, and greater consistency in routine analytical workflows.
Features of CPI International’s ICP-OES & ICP-MS Standards
CPI International provides high-quality analytical standards designed to support accurate, reliable elemental analysis in laboratories worldwide. With more than 40 years of experience manufacturing laboratory chemicals and reference standards, we combine technical expertise, rigorous quality systems, and flexible manufacturing capabilities to deliver dependable solutions for calibration, quality control, method development, and specialized analytical applications.
Key Features & Benefits
ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 17034 Accredited Production Facilities – Standards are manufactured and tested in facilities accredited to internationally recognized requirements for reference material production and analytical testing.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality System – CPI International operates under a certified quality management system supporting consistent products, dependable service and continual improvement.
NIST-Traceable Standards – Documented traceability to recognized national measurement standards, providing confidence in analytical accuracy and reliability.
Over 40 Years of Manufacturing Expertise – Decades of experience producing high-quality laboratory chemicals and analytical reference standards.
Comprehensive ICP & ICP-MS Standard Portfolio – Includes single-element standards, multi-element standards, calibration standards, quality control standards, and custom blended solutions.
Custom Standard Capabilities – Flexible formulation, concentration, matrix, and packaging options to meet specific laboratory, method, and instrument requirements.
Bulk Manufacturing & Private Label Capabilities – Scalable production capabilities to support OEM partnerships, private labeling, and high-volume requirements.
Rigorous Quality Control & Documentation – Detailed product documentation and quality processes ensure consistency, reliability, and confidence in every lot.
Application Expertise – Experienced technical team supporting environmental, industrial, research, and analytical testing laboratories.
Reliable Supply Partner – A responsive U.S.-based manufacturer focused on quality, flexibility, and long-term customer relationships.
Watch your efficiency go up!
You’re wasting money and hours every time someone in the lab has to do something that should be done once, twice.
That rework increases the cost of every subsequent ICP-OES or ICP-MS workflow you run.
That’s why CPI standards are manufactured with documented quality controls and product-specific traceability.
It’s one less factor to worry about causing an anomaly that must be investigated.
Never run out of critical supplies again.
CPI International’s AssuredSupply Subscription Program simplifies purchasing by allowing you to schedule deliveries of critical standards and consumables on your timeline — minimizing downtime and standardizing your inventory.
And because your supply is locked in, the stuff you need will never be out of stock.
You’ll never have to scramble to purchase last minute from another supplier at a higher cost.
Develop new methods that save budget with custom standards
You have an idea for a custom standard that will have a positive impact on your work. Maybe it will:
- Reduce the cost of science.
- Streamline a process and make it more profitable.
- Serve as a unique sales proposition for your customers.
If the chemistry is possible, we’ll work with you to make it. Where other manufacturers saddle you with limitations, we help your ideas flourish.
Looking to distribute ICP standards and other inorganic standards to your customers?
CPI International partners with Distributors who share our commitment to quality, reliability, and long-term customer success.
If you’re interested in representing our products in your market, we’d love to learn more about your organization.
Contact us here to learn more about distribution opportunities.