BAS

BAS | Bureau of Analysed Samples
Company Overview

Bureau of Analysed Samples (BAS) is an established manufacturer of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), with a history dating back to 1935 in the United Kingdom. The company was founded with a focus on supplying chemical reference samples for the metals and metallurgical industries, where accurate determination of material composition plays a critical role in quality control, production process evaluation, and the reliability of laboratory results.
Through the development of a specialized range of reference materials for steel, cast iron, metal alloys, and selected mineral and industrial materials, BAS has become a longstanding and recognized name in the field of reference materials for the chemical analysis of metals. Its products are designed to support quality control laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and specialized materials analysis centers, where comparing analytical results against reliable reference values is an essential part of quality assessment and assurance.

Products and Areas of Specialization

BAS offers a diverse range of reference materials for the metals industry and analytical laboratories. Its product portfolio includes reference materials for carbon and alloy steels, cast iron, ferroalloys, selected non-ferrous alloys, and certain mineral and industrial materials. Depending on the sample type and analytical method, these materials are available in various forms, including chips and powders for chemical analysis, as well as solid discs and blocks suitable for techniques such as Optical Emission Spectrometry (OES) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). This variety enables laboratories to select reference materials according to their measurement methods, analytical instruments, and the chemical composition of the materials under investigation.
In addition to certified reference materials, this field also includes samples used for instrument setup, performance verification, and routine analytical quality control. Appropriate selection of these materials can support instrument performance assessment, monitoring of result stability, and identification of potential changes in measurement processes.

Technical Credibility and Quality Framework

The reliability of reference materials depends on the manufacturer’s expertise and track record, the methods used to establish reference values, the availability of technical documentation, and the effectiveness of its quality management system. Throughout its history, BAS has maintained a longstanding focus on the development and supply of specialized reference materials for metal analysis.
ISO 17034 is an important international standard for assessing the competence of reference material producers. It addresses the technical capabilities and requirements associated with the production of reference materials. When evaluating and selecting suitable materials, laboratories should review the applicable certification status, the scope of any relevant accreditation, and the technical documentation and certified values provided for each product.
BAS products are also presented and supplied through the Goodfellow Reference Materials portfolio. Accordingly, consulting the relevant official documentation and current product information is important when verifying product availability, certification status, and technical specifications.
BAS in Industry and Specialized Laboratories
BAS’s focus on metallic reference materials makes its products relevant to laboratories operating in the steel, foundry, metallurgy, alloy production, and materials quality control sectors. The diversity of chemical compositions and product formats supports their use at different stages of analytical result evaluation and instrument performance monitoring.
In this context, reference materials are more than comparison samples; they are an integral part of a laboratory’s technical infrastructure for verifying measurement accuracy, evaluating analytical methods, and supporting quality-related decisions.