"a major reference for" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
For example, you could write, "This book is a major reference for understanding the history of the city."
The 1970s have been a major reference point for designers for several seasons now; for accessories this has translated well to these styles, complemented by an abundance of suede and fringing.
As Germany is a major reference country for other pharmaceutical markets, this would have a considerable impact on international prices as well.
Our objective is to establish The IZA Journal of Labor Policy as a major reference journal for empirically-grounded research on labor market policy issues in both developed and developing countries, and one that helps connect research to policy.
Ethiopia, being one of the first countries in Africa to formalise the services of Health Extension Workers (HEWs) in 2005 under the Health Extension Program (HEP), was a major reference point for the MoH in shaping the policy agenda.
This isn't how most cookbooks are produced, but, as the authors point out, "that level of effort is the norm for a major reference work or college textbook".
Tobacco Science, Policy and Publicc health is a major reference text that is intended for an international public health audience, including epidemiologists, health economists and those working or interested in global tobacco control.
The contents of the fatwa may be considered a major reference work to be drawn upon for a good understanding of Islam and its abhorrence of terror done in the name of Islam.
A main theme of Wendell Bell's Foundation of Futures Studies [2] is the nature of futures studies as a scientific activity.17 For technology foresight directly linked to policy-making, the major reference for 'practitioners' internationally is "The Handbook of Technology Foresight' [16].
The first, in 1961, Parliamentary Socialism, was to become the major reference for debates on Labourism and social democracy in the 20th century.
