Abstract Reference electrodes limiting interfering effects of conventional reference electrodes on the measurement involving ion-selective electrodes have been developed. They are constructed of a plastic body with porous plug or sleeve junction. Solid state, low impedance, ion-selective electrodes (cupric, cadmium, fluoride) in the equilibrium of corresponding ion solution are used as the half-cells. The absence of interfering ions in the electrolyte allows the determination of the ion of interest at extremely low levels without interference. The electrodes have good reproducibility and stable intercomparison potentials of ± 0.2 mV. The performance of the electrodes has been tested for the measurement of sub-ppm halide levels. Data on stability, reproducibility, effects of temperature, ionic strengthand pH is presented and compared to that of conventional reference electrodes.