1.1 This guide contains good practices for the selection, training, qualification, and professional development of personnel performing analysis, calibration, physical measurements, or data review using nondestructive assay equipment, methods, results, or techniques. The guide also covers NDA personnel involved with NDA equipment setup, selection, diagnosis, troubleshooting, or repair. General guidelines for the selection, training, and qualification of NDA auditors are included as well, but at a lower level of detail due to the variability of the personnel''s responsibilities performing this functions. Selection, training, and qualification programs based on this guide are intended to provide assurance that NDA personnel are suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP) to perform their jobs competently. This guide presents a series of options but does not recommend a specific course of action. This standard guide does not address the qualifications per se of an NDA Manager. However, it is expected that the NDA Manager is familiar with NDA techniques, and can make informed decisions on the acceptability of the assay results. If an NDA Manager does not have adequate technical qualifications in the NDA field, they are recommended to undergo training to gain familiarity in this area. An NDA Manager with no relevant NDA experience should have access to a Senior NDA Professional who will give guidance for all technical decisions such as applicability and limitation of methods, reasonableness of results, needed upgrades and advantageous development investments.

1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.