The University of Kentucky has provided reference tobacco products for scientific research since 1968. Reference cigarettes are used as a standard for tobacco smoke and tobacco product analysis worldwide. The FDA requirement that tobacco companies report data on harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) known to be in tobacco products is limited by a lack of established analytical capability and consensus on appropriate analytical methods. Reference tobacco products have been characterized in regard to many HPHCs and thus are a necessary component for emerging tobacco product regulation that requires reporting of HPHCs. Information will be presented on new reference tobacco products that cover the ISO tar band. In addition, specific information on progress to establish a program for laboratory proficiency testing based on reference cigarettes will be presented.