Accreditation. Its relevance for laboratories measuring radionuclides
Activity Acronym:
BOK-1
Authors:
Sigurður Emil Pálsson
Abstract:
Accreditation is an internationally recognised way for laboratories to demonstrate their competence. Obtaining and maintaining accreditation is, however, a costly and
time-consuming procedure. The benefits of accreditation also depend on the role of the laboratory. Accreditation may be of limited relevance for a research laboratory,
but essential for a laboratory associated with a national authority and e.g. issuing certificates. This report describes work done within the NKS/BOK-1.1 sub-project on
introducing accreditation to Nordic laboratories measuring radionuclides. Initially the focus was on the new standard ISO/IEC 17025, which was just in a draft form at the
time, but which provides now a new framework for accreditation of laboratories. Later the focus was widened to include a general introduction to accreditation and
providing through seminars a forum for exchanging views on the experience laboratories have had in this field. Copies of overheads from the last such seminar are included in the appendix to this report.