Intercomparisons for individual monitoring services in Europe: Organization, experience and results.

The European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) has set-up a worldwide unique program of self-sustainable international intercomparisons for individual monitoring services (IMS). Starting in 2008, with three intercomparisons for whole body photon dosimeters every 2 nd year, one intercomparison in 2009 for photon and beta extremity dosimeters and in 2012, an intercomparison for neutron whole body dosimeters, the intercomparisons became fundamental for the harmonization of radiation protection and individual monitoring in Europe. With the intercomparison results, the participants can show compliance within their quality management system, compare their results with those from other participants and develop plans for improvement of their system. The costs of the exercises are covered by the participant's fees. For the whole body photon intercomparisons a the number of participating systems increased from 62 in 2008 to 88 in 2012, showing the big demand for such exercises. Some of the system types like film dosimeters showed decreasing deviations of their results in the general and subsequently increased their quality in the dosimetric performance. The calibration of the systems showed to be an important factor for the performance of all system types. The intercomparison for extremity dosimeters for photon and beta radiation revealed large deviations for quite a few of the participating systems. The intercomparison actions are planned to be continued on a regular basis; the next whole body photon intercomparison is scheduled for 2014. International intercomparisons for IMS for external radiation will bring in improvement and harmonization in individual monitoring