Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications and Wong Kang Jet, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore's National Environment Agency signing the Collaborating Centre agreement at Singapore's National Environment Agency, 26 March 2026. (Photo: IAEA)
The IAEA has designated Singapore's National Radiochemistry Laboratory at the National Environment Agency (NRL/NEA) as an IAEA Collaborating Centre for the development of analytical techniques for measuring radionuclides in environmental samples.
Building on its longstanding collaboration with the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, the NRL/NEA will focus on method development, technology integration, regional capacity building and strengthening emergency preparedness.
The designation was signed in Singapore by Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, and Wong Kang Jet, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore's National Environment Agency.
"Singapore's National Radiochemistry Laboratory has been an excellent partner of the IAEA for many years and demonstrates a commitment to analytical excellence in environmental radioactivity monitoring. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and seeing what we can achieve together," said Mokhtar.
A Strong Regional Foundation
The NEA and IAEA have worked together since 2015 to build and expand upon Singapore's developments in environmental radioactivity monitoring. In 2017, the NEA inaugurated the National Radiochemistry Laboratory to establish Singapore's baseline environmental radiation levels and support nuclear and radiological emergency response.
Today, NRL is a centre of excellence in environmental radioactivity measurement, a leader in radiochemistry in Singapore and a regional hub for building capacity in radiochemistry. NRL joined the IAEA's Network of Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) in 2019 and partners with other IAEA Collaborating Centres, including Switzerland's Spiez Laboratory and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
Working with the IAEA, NRL/NEA will facilitate knowledge exchange by creating platforms thatlink radiochemistry with environmental assessment and enhance technical assistance, and by providing specialized support on emergency preparedness to the IAEA and to developing States, particularly in Southeast Asia. NRL will also promote best practices by supporting the dissemination of proven methodologies through workshops and capacity building programmes.
From 2026 to 2030, the collaboration will focus on regional knowledge transfer and training on gamma and alpha spectrometry, liquid scintillation counting and method optimisation combining radiometric and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric measurements.
The workplan also includes the development of a framework for a regional inter-laboratory comparison study or proficiency testing exercise to enhance regional capacity for monitoring environmental radioactivity.
"Today marks the culmination of the NEA National Radiochemistry Laboratory's partnership with the IAEA that began nearly a decade ago," said Wong. "This IAEA Collaborating Centre designation is a strong recognition of our technical capabilities and Singapore's broader collaborations with the IAEA across various nuclear applications. It also supports the development of regional capabilities in radiation and environmental protection."
IAEA Collaborating Centres
The IAEA works with designated institutions around the world to promote the use of nuclear technologies. Through the Collaborating Centres network, these organizations support the IAEA by undertaking original research, development and training in nuclear science and technology and by promoting its safe and secure applications.
