Speaker
Description
Authors: 1. Denis Glavič-Cindro (Jožef Stefan Institute), 2. Matjaž Korun (Jožef Stefan Institute), 3. Toni Petrovič (Jožef Stefan Institute) 4. Branko Vodenik (Jožef Stefan Institute) 5. Benjamin Zorko (Jožef Stefan Institute)
The Laboratory for radioactivity measurements (LMR) at Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia, was established in 1981. Since then, the measurements with high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry of activities in samples from the living and working environment, food and feeding stuff, chemicals, building and raw materials, etc., are carried out, initially mainly for the purpose of environmental radioactivity monitoring of the Krško NPP.
From the very beginning, laboratory management has realized the need to implement a quality assurance system to ensure a constant quality of measurement results and comparability at the global level. In parallel, the need for uniform quality assurance systems also emerged in other areas, so standards on quality assurance started to develop in the late Eighties. In LMR, we started to implement a quality system according to the SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard in 1999 and gained accreditation by Slovenian Accreditation in March 2003.
In general, the quality system does not mean only increased paperwork; a cleverly implemented quality system also reduces repetitions, improves traceability and is the basis for better performance and more consistent quality of work. We will present and discuss the lessons learned and the laboratory achievements gained in the last 20 years of accreditation, emphasizing metrological improvements. The most important metrological benefits are assuring traceability to SI units and its regular checks using certified reference materials, a detailed determination of uncertainty budget based on the GUM and evaluation of characteristic limits (decision threshold, detection limit and limits of the coverage interval) according to ISO 11929:2019 standard. Furthermore, sets of measurements to ensure the validity of results are conducted regularly, as well we participate in different schemes of intercomparison measurements and proficiency tests. The most important confirmation of the quality on the metrological level in LMR is the EURAMET nomination of the Laboratory as the designated institute in the ionizing radiation (radioactivity) field.
All results of these measurements and tests are statistically evaluated. These results are the basis for continuous improvement of laboratory performance. During the presentation, practical examples will be presented and discussed.
