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The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub

Nuclear reference materials

The Joint Research Centre has the mandate in the Euratom Treaty of ensuring a standard system of measurements, including the provision of Certified Reference Materials.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has the mandate in the Euratom Treaty of ensuring a standard system of measurements. 

This includes the provision to policy partners, research institutes, academia and industry, of various actinide isotopic certified reference materials (CRMs) for applications in nuclear safeguards, security and safety. The JRC labpratories are compliant with ISO 17034:2016 and accredited by the Belgian Accreditation Body (BELAC). Prioritisation in this competence domain is done in line with the JRC’s mandate in co-creation with Euratom Safeguards and stakeholders at an international level via consultations, dedicated support programmes (EC-SP to the IAEA), technical meetings and working groups, such as in ESARDA. 

The JRC CRMs are applied worldwide for instrument calibration, validation of analytical methods and for quality control in nuclear energy and non-energy applications.

Nuclear certified reference materials
Nuclear certified reference materials
© European Atomic Energy Community

Future objectives and challenges:

Provision of certified nuclear reference materials (CRMs) in compliance with ISO 17034 and accredited by the Belgium Accreditation Body (BELAC) to support the authorities in achieving their required high level of detection probability in nuclear safeguards and security. 

Future CRM projects:
• IRMM-040b (233U) and IRMM-046d (242Pu/233U).
• IRMM-1027 series U/Pu Large-Sized Dried spike.
• IRMM-1038a U Large-Sized Dried spike.
• Preserving skills and competences in the field of nuclear CRM production.