This International Standard establishes a system of classification of sealed radioactive sources based on test performance and specifies general requirements, performance tests, production tests, marking and certification.

It provides a set of tests by which the manufacturer of sealed radioactive sources can evaluate the safety of his products in use and by which the user of such sources can select types which are suitable for the required application, especially where protection against the release of radioactive material, with consequent exposure to ionizing radiation, is concerned. This International Standard may also be of guidance to regulating authorities.

The tests fall into several groups, including, for example, exposure to abnormally high and low temperatures, and a variety of mechanical tests. Each test can be applied in several degrees of severity. The criterion of pass or fail depends on leakage of the contents of the sealed radioactive source.

A list of the main typical applications of sealed radioactive sources with a suggested test schedule for each application is given in table 4. The tests are minimum requirements corresponding to the applications in the broadest sense. Factors to be considered for applications in especially severe conditions are listed in 4.2.

This International Standard makes no attempt to classify either the design of sources and their method of construction or their calibration in terms of the radiation emitted. Radioactive materials inside a nuclear reactor including sealed sources and fuel elements are not covered by this International Standard.