Quality assurance in the nuclear sector

AbstractThe nuclear sector in the UK operates under regulation requiring assurance that the quality of radioactive measurements is “fit for purpose”. Laboratories operate a quality system under ISO 17025:2005 which is monitored by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. Few of the test methods used in UK laboratories are based on standard methods so non-standard procedures are validated through the use of certified reference materials, and continued quality assurance is provided through participation in proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparison exercises. The majority of organisations accredited for radioactivity measurements under ISO 17025:2005 in the UK are environmental monitoring laboratories routinely processing soils, vegetation, air filters and water samples. There are no certified reference materials available in the UK or elsewhere adequately supporting the work of these laboratories. The same is true for the nuclear decommissioning and waste management community that regularly analyses concrete, soil, brick, sludge and oils for activities at Low Level Waste and Intermediate Waste Levels. The nuclear sector has a number of issues regarding availability of isotopic tracers for analysis, supplies of material for nuclear medicine, proficiency testing exercises involving representative matrices and activity levels but the most pressing need is in the area of certified reference materials for validation of methods analysing alpha, beta, and gamma emitting radionuclides.