EN ISO 2919:2014 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 2919:2014 (ISO 2919:2012) - Radiological protection - Sealed radioactive sources - General requirements and classification - establishes an internationally accepted, performance‑based classification system for sealed radioactive sources. The standard specifies general requirements, performance and production tests, marking and certification so manufacturers, users and regulators can evaluate and select sealed sources with appropriate safety against the release of radioactive material.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification by test performance: Sources are classified according to results of standardized tests that evaluate robustness under adverse conditions rather than by design details.
• Performance and production tests: Includes groups of tests such as exposure to abnormal high/low temperatures, external pressure, impact, vibration, puncture and bending. Each test may be applied at several severity levels.
• Pass/fail criterion: Determined by leakage of the sealed source contents - leakage test methods are referenced (see ISO 9978).
• Activity level designation: Sources are coded to indicate whether activity is above or below specified threshold levels.
• Marking and certification: Requirements for source identification, model designation and issuing of a source certificate to document compliance.
• Quality assurance and recommended working life: Procedures to support consistent production quality and guidance on recommended working life (RWL) for sources.
• Limitations and notes:
  • Classification does not imply a sealed source will retain integrity under continuous operation at the rated test conditions (for example, a source tested 1 h at 600 °C may not withstand continuous exposure at 600 °C).
  • The standard does not classify source design, calibration of emitted radiation, or radioactive materials inside nuclear reactors.

Applications and users

EN ISO 2919 is practical for:

• Manufacturers and suppliers of sealed radioactive sources - to design, test and certify products.
• Regulatory authorities and conformity assessors - as guidance for approval and oversight of sealed sources.
• Radiation protection officers, procurement teams and users - to select source types suitable for specific applications where preventing radioactive release is critical.
• Testing laboratories - to perform standardized performance and production tests.

Typical application areas (broadly covered by the standard’s test schedules) include industrial, medical and research uses where sealed sources are employed and protection against release of radioactive material is essential.

Related standards

• ISO 9978 - Leakage test methods for sealed radioactive sources (normative reference).
• ISO 361 - Basic ionizing radiation symbol (referenced for marking).

EN ISO 2919:2014 is adopted by CEN and nationally implemented (e.g., SIST EN ISO 2919:2015), making it a key reference for harmonized radiological protection and sealed‑source safety across jurisdictions.