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# SARS-CoV-2 Reference Panel Updated
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/sars-cov-2-reference-panel-updated/
- Published: 2020-12-02T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:38:47.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5148200

FDA says it has updated the SARS-CoV-2 reference panel comparative data on the agency Web site to reflect the latest information. An FDA [notice](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFDA/bulletins/2af2cd8?ref=fdaweb.com) says the [reference panel](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/sars-cov-2-reference-panel-comparative-data?utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fsource=govdelivery) is an independent performance validation step for diagnostic tests of SARS-CoV-2 infection that are being used for clinical purposes. The panel allows for a more precise expansion of the analytical performance of different molecular *in vitro* diagnostic assays intended to detect SARS-CoV-2, the notice says.

FDA provides the panel’s standardized samples to test developers who are required to assess their test’s performance against the panel or other FDA-recommended reference materials as a condition of an emergency use authorization.