Laboratory Accreditation Program:
The Health Physics Society Program
The program developed by the HPS became operational in 1987. It is aimed at the
private sector but is available to any laboratory that calibrates portable
instruments used for radiation protection. Two HPS committees administer the
program, assisted by a headquarters staff person and a technical director. The
Policy Committee has responsibility to establish and maintain the policy and
procedures for operation of the program, to provide independent oversight, and
to develop and maintain the criteria used for assessment of laboratories. The
Assessment Committee performs assessments of applicant laboratories and grants
accreditations, subject to concurrence by the Policy Committee and the HPS
Board.
Important characteristics of the program are as follows:
- Scope: Calibration of portable radiation protection instruments
using gamma rays, x rays, beta particles, neutrons, and alpha particles.
- Levels of Accreditation: Secondary and Tertiary (i.e., one and two
steps removed from NIST, which is the national primary level).
- Period of Accreditation: Three years, renewable for additional
three-year periods.
- Proficiency Testing: Performed annually. Secondary laboratories are
tested by NIST, and tertiary laboratories are tested by secondary laboratories.
- Criteria: HPS document entitled "Criteria for Accreditation of
Calibration Laboratories," which is consistent with ISO 17025.
- On-Site Assessment: Conducted before initial accreditation and
before renewal of accreditation. Monitoring visits may be conducted randomly or
in response to perceived need. Assessors are technical peers.
- Fees: At cost, based on the requested scope of accreditation.
Contacts
- NIST:
- Ronaldo Minniti (301) 975-5586
- email: ronaldo.minniti@nist.gov
- Health
Physics Society Accreditation Program
Return to
| Radiation Interactions and Dosimetry Group
| Ionizing Radiation Division |
|
Inquiries or comments:
s.seltzer@nist.gov
Online: October 20, 1997 - Last update: June 2003
- Reviewed: July 2006
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