Metrology for chemical measurements and the position of INAA

Metrology systems are being established by various countries for the worldw ide comparability of data related to trade, industrial products, health, an d the environment. This has in turn led to an increased interest in methods that have the highest possible accuracy and precision. The relevance of in strumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for metrological science has been evaluated. It is concluded that INAA is a suitable technique for metho d validation, proficiency testing development of reference materials and re ference methods. Moreover, it is concluded that INAA may comply with the CC QM definition of a definitive or primary ratio method provided that the unc ertainty in the results is reduced to much lower levels compared to those c urrently encountered in most NAA laboratories.