The radionuclide metrology laboratories of the Joint Research Centre in Geel are equipped with a variety of instruments for both the radiological characterisation of materials and high accuracy radioactivity measurements. Scientists perform measurements of a large number of radionuclides on samples as diversified as reference materials and liquid solutions for the standardisation and determination of nuclear decay data and environmental samples.

Natural radioactivity is omnipresent and needs to be monitored to protect the health of the population and to understand the processes in nature and industry. Anthropogenic (man-made) radioactivity is continuously produced in the nuclear industry and does not stop at borders if it is accidentally released. Nuclear medicine is developing rapidly and uses more radionuclides than ever before – an increase that will continue. Sustainability requires extensive recycling of materials which calls for robust measurements of radioactivity in scrap in order to minimise the risks to society if active materials are recycled unintentionally. Therefore, it is important to carry out radioactivity measurements in the environment and in industry.