Radiation Detection Instruments LAP

This accreditation program is designed to satisfy the requirements of contractors, state and local governments, and federal agencies specifying accreditation for laboratories that conduct testing of radiation detection instruments used in homeland security applications. Accreditation is available to any organization that conducts testing of radiation detection instruments in accordance with the established requirements of accreditation.

For information on the requirements of accreditation see NIST Handbook 150 which contains the general requirements that are the basis for accreditation of any laboratory regardless of the discipline or area for which a lab seeks accreditation. In addition, the radiation instrument testing laboratory must meet the program-specific requirements in NIST Handbook 150-23"Homeland Security Applications: Radiation Detection Instruments" and the relevant standard test methods for which the laboratory seeks accreditation. The NIST Handbook 150 Checklist and the NIST Handbook 150-23 Checklist are used by the assessor when performing the on-site assessment. In addition, NVLAP Lab Bulletins may be issued to expand the requirements or to provide clarity on existing requirements.

Proficiency Testing Requirements

Section 7.7.2 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requires a laboratory “monitor its performance by comparison with results of other laboratories, where available and appropriate”. NVLAP is not aware of any widely available interlaboratory comparison for Radiation Detection Instrument (RDI) testing. Laboratories may choose to organize interlaboratory comparisons among themselves, however NVLAP does not require participation in interlaboratory comparison in the RDI program. If an appropriate interlaboratory comparison becomes available, NVLAP may require participation and will notify all laboratories of requirements.

Requirements Documents

• NIST Handbook 150:2020, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements
• NIST Handbook 150-23:2022, NVLAP Radiation Detection Instruments
• Lab Bulletin LB-145-2022: Release of NIST Handbook 150-23, 2022 Edition

References and Information

• Graduated Rad/Nuc Detector Evaluation and Reporting Program (GRaDER)
• Federal Register Notice, January 17, 2006: Establishment of Laboratory Accreditation Program for Radiation Detection Instruments Under NVLAP
• Federal Register Notice, April 3, 2007: Establishment of and Availability of Applications for the Laboratory Accreditation Program for Radiation Detection Instruments Under NVLAP
• Recommendations for Improving Consistency in the Radiation Fields Used During Testing of Radiation Detection Instruments for Homeland Security Applications