The Department of Energy Laboratory
Accreditation Program for Radiobioassay

Robert M. Loesch

DOELAP Administrator, U.S. Department of Energy

The Department of Energy Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) has recently implemented a performance testing program for radiobioassay laboratories. This new program, the first of its kind in the world, is based upon the American National Standard HPS N13.30-1996, “Performance Criteria for Radiobioassay.” All Departmental facilities that implement a radiobioassay program to demonstrate compliance with 10 CFR 835, must obtain DOELAP accreditation for their programs by Jan. 1, 2002.

This presentation will summarize the content of the standard (test categories, radiological sources, phantoms, and methodologies used to conduct the testing program), difficulties encountered in implementing the standard as written, an evaluation performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a Measurement and Quality Assurance (M&QA) Program with the performance testing laboratory, and results to date of accreditations performed.