DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GUIDANCE ON TRACEABLE NONDESTRUCTIVE ASSAY MEASUREMENTS

Quality control for destructive assay is assured through the use of certified reference materials (CRMs) or working reference materials (WRMs), which are traceable to the national measurement base. Establishing traceabi lity for non-destructive assay (NDA) techniques is not so readily accomplished because of scarce CRMs and other factors. Existing nuclear CRMs are not directly suitable for calibrating NDA systems. As the use of NDA increases within the Department of Energy (DOE), the need to develop applicable reference materials and establish traceability is critical. To facilitate resolution of this need, the Department has developed policy guidance, entitled Guidance on Meeting DOE Order Requirements for Traceable Nondestructive Assay Measurements (May 1994), to assist in establishing traceable NDA measurements under DOE 5633.3A requirements. This paper follows the outline of the guide and summarizes its contents.