Overview
EN ISO 23588:2024 (identical to ISO 23588:2023) provides general requirements for proficiency tests for in vivo radiobioassay. It applies to facilities operating a whole-body counter (WBC) or partial body counter (PBC) for monitoring persons and defines the technical framework for organizing, conducting and evaluating intercomparisons used in radiological protection and dosimetry. The standard covers tests that require only quantification of radionuclides as well as tests that require radionuclide identification and activity assignment. It does not cover administrative issues (shipping, finance).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & applicability
- Applies to dosimetry laboratories, occupational monitoring units, hospitals, universities and emergency response facilities using WBC/PBC.
- Planning the proficiency test
- Determination of test type, measurement tasks, radionuclide selection and activity ranges.
- Phantoms and source preparation
- Selection and preparation of appropriate phantoms (whole-body, lung, thyroid, etc.), source placement and quality assurance measures.
- Conducting measurements
- On-site phantom setup, participant measurement procedures, role of an attendant, and required reporting protocols.
- Data analysis & evaluation
- Determination of assigned values, calculation of performance scores, statistical evaluation and reporting of results.
- Performance metrics
- Includes Minimum Testing Level (MTL) requirements and guidance (annexes include examples and normative information).
- Documentation
- Reporting formats and contents to support traceability and accreditation requirements.
Practical applications and users
EN ISO 23588:2024 is used to:
- Support accreditation of in vivo dosimetry laboratories and validation of bioassay methods.
- Provide objective performance assessment for WBC/PBC measurement capability.
- Guide proficiency test organizers in designing technically robust intercomparisons.
- Aid nuclear facility health physics teams, hospitals, academic laboratories and emergency response organizations to monitor and improve measurement quality.
- Offer training and quality assurance tools to identify methodological issues and improve routine surveillance programs.
Related standards
- ISO 28218 - Performance criteria for radiobioassay
- ISO/IEC 17043 - General requirements for proficiency testing
- ISO 13528 - Statistical methods for proficiency testing
- IEC 61582 - In vivo measurement instrumentation and performance tests
EN ISO 23588:2024 is an essential reference for professionals involved in in vivo radiobioassay, providing harmonized requirements to ensure reliable, comparable measurements for occupational and public radiological protection.
