The IAEA programme and perspectives for environmental, radionuclide monitoring and preparation of reference materials.

The recent achievements of and perspectives for the IAEA programme on measu rements of radionuclides in the environment are reviewed. The programme inc ludes sampling and measurement campaigns for the assessment of the radiolog ical situation in potentially contaminated regions and the establishment of a world-wide network to assist the IAEA in carrying out those assessments. Furthermore the programme includes the different actions pertaining to the improvement of the quality of radioanalytical measurements in the Member S tates. In addition to training and assistance in the implementation of qual ity systems the programme includes the development, compilation, review and dissemination of radioanalytical methods, the organisation of interlaborat ory comparisons and proficiency tests and the preparation, characterisation and distribution of reference materials.