SSDL Network

Applying for membership

Applications for membership in the IAEA/WHO SSDL Network must be based on a nomination from the national competent authority in the respective Member State. The national competent authority of a Member State will designate an SSDL that maintains the relevant national standards, undertakes calibrations, and may perform other services in radiation dosimetry at a national level. The application for membership should be submitted to the IAEA SSDL Network Secretariat through the Dosimetry Contact Point by a competent official authority of a Member State. All information requested below must be provided for formal consideration by the IAEA.

The application should include the following:

  • A nomination from the appropriate national authority;
  • Organizational structure of the proposed SSDL and its relationship to the national metrology infrastructure, including the legal regulation for metrology;
  • Full contact details of the SSDL;
  • Full contact details and CV of the head of the SSDL;
  • Staffing structure of the SSDL;
  • Layout of the facilities and statement on safety and security issues;
  • List of available measuring equipment and irradiators;
  • List of secondary standards including traceability route, date of the last calibration and comparison results, if any;
  • List of calibration services and other activities provided to end users and CMCs (if any);
  • Number of calibrations typically performed in a year[1];
  • Description of the SSDL's quality management system, accreditation document or peer-review report, if any;
  • Statement that the SSDL accepts the responsibilities and will fulfil the duties listed in the charter.

Normally, the national competent authority of a Member State will designate a single SSDL for the IAEA/WHO Network to perform calibrations and other radiation dosimetry services. Exceptionally, more than one SSDL from a country may participate in the Network if, for example:

  • different services are provided for different quantities and radiation qualities; or
  • different geographical locations are necessary.

The reference standards for a specific quantity and radiation quality in a given country have to be traceable to the same national reference standard. As the work of SSDLs is of a metrological nature, it is essential that each SSDL be legally identifiable. It is preferable that the SSDL is linked to or collaborates with the National Metrology Institute (NMI) and, if eligible, has a designated status in the frame of the CIPM-MRA.