The credibility of culture collections with the recognition of Certified Reference Material (CRM).
In analytical laboratory routines, reference strains are essential for quality control of the inputs used in clinical and veterinary diagnostic tests, as well as in microbiological analyses of food, water, pharmaceutical products and environmental samples. They are also indispensable for method validation studies and measurement uncertainty determination.
In analytical processes, Certified Reference Material (CRM) is the primary recommendation of ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025 and ABNT NBR ISO 15189 for metrological traceability. These CRMs are produced in accordance with internationally accepted criteria established by ABNT NBR ISO 17034.
Have you considered incorporating reference strains recognized as Certified Reference Materials into your routine?
This combination represents the highest level of quality and metrological traceability, backed by leading international standards and references. A key differentiator that reinforces your laboratory’s commitment to accuracy and confidence in microbiological results.
To make this quality standard accessible to laboratories, Controllab provides reference strains recognized as Certified Reference Materials.
The company is accredited as a Reference Material Producer (PMR 0009) by Inmetro’s General Accreditation Coordination and licensed by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UK HSA) for the NCTC® (National Collection of Type Cultures) — the world’s oldest bacterial collection — and NCPF® (National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi) culture collections.
Equivalence of the main culture collections
Like ATCC®, NCTC® is a global benchmark for culture collections. Both are registered in the WDCM (World Data Center for Microorganisms), an international database that groups strains into a unified identification system. This facilitates comparison and exchange of information on reference strains.
In the WDCM, the same strain may have different designations depending on the collection. For example, Escherichia coli NCTC® 12241 is also designated as ATCC® 25922, CIP® 76.24, DSM® 1103, CCUG® 17620 or CECT® 434, depending on the culture collection.
Therefore, when using an NCTC® or ATCC® strain, you are working with equivalent strains, sharing the same phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Technical protocols and accreditation bodies recognize this equivalence, ensuring compliance across collections.
Why choose Controllab reference strains?
By adopting Controllab Reference Strains, laboratories bring the rigor of ISO 17034 into their routine, combined with the reliability of internationally recognized culture collections.
With the Reference Strains program, laboratories gain access to scheduled strains that simplify complex processes, reduce risks of contamination and mutations, eliminate the need for internal maintenance, and free up time for what truly matters: precise and reliable results.
More than a technical choice, it is a decision that reflects the laboratory’s commitment to excellence and safety in every result delivered.
Want to ensure analytical quality and strengthen confidence in your results?
Speak with a Controllab specialist.
