CCRI Workshop Explores the Past and Future of Ionizing Radiation Metrology
As the BIPM marks its 150th anniversary, ionizing radiation metrology also celebrated a set of major milestones in 2025: the 65th anniversary of the BIPM’s Ionizing Radiation Department and the 130th anniversary of Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of x-rays. To reflect on these achievements and look ahead to future priorities, experts from around the world gathered at the BIPM on 6 November for a dedicated Consultative Committee for Ionizing Radiation (CCRI) workshop.
More than 200 specialists joined the event — with 55 participants on-site and 152 attending online — underscoring global interest in the evolving roles of ionizing radiation metrology in medicine, environmental monitoring, public protection and emerging technologies.
Highlights from Past Achievements to Emerging Priorities
The morning sessions traced the development of ionizing radiation metrology from Marie Curie’s creation of the first international radium standard, which laid the foundations for today’s international standards. Speakers also outlined the growth of global structures that support consistent radiation measurements, including the ICRU (defining the ionizing radiation units), CCRI, the BIPM Ionizing Radiation Department, ICRM and the worldwide SSDL network, with tributes to pioneering figures who shaped the field.
Attention then turned to present and future demands in medical diagnostics, radiotherapy and environmental monitoring, including updated dosimetry protocols, new reference materials and improved testing capabilities. Fusion research also featured, particularly work on tritium and plasma diagnostics, alongside emerging approaches that combine advanced detection systems with AI-supported modelling to improve traceability in medicine, nuclear science and industry.
A Collaborative Vision for the Future
As the BIPM’s 150th anniversary draws to a close, the workshop served as a reminder of how far ionizing radiation metrology has come in the three areas that are dosimetry, radionuclides and neutrons— and how much more remains ahead for the new generation of metrologist as those that concluded the workshop. With coordinated research, robust standards and a growing international community, the BIPM and CCRI are helping ensure that ionizing radiation measurements remain reliable across borders and across disciplines, supporting better decisions in medicine, environmental monitoring and emerging technologies for years to come.
Photo caption: Participants at the CCRI Workshop on Ionizing Radiation Metrology, BIPM, November 2025.
Key Terms Explained
Dosimetry refers to the measurement and calculation of absorbed radiation doses in matter, especially human tissue. Accurate dosimetry ensures that diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy treatments deliver safe, traceable and effective radiation levels for patients.
Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) network provides traceable calibration services for medical and radiation protection dosimetry systems. Operated in partnership with the IAEA and WHO, SSDLs extend the international measurement system to clinical radiology and radiotherapy services worldwide.