This paper combines a report on standardization in the field of reactor dosimetry in the Federal Republic of Germany with an outline of considerations regarding its relationship to the major application, the surveillance of light-water reactor pressure vessels. The paper discusses the interaction between research in the field of reactor dosimetry and the standardization of methods together with the impact of this standardization on practical applications. Part of the work in this field can be considered as being at such a stage that the developed methods can now be applied on a routine basis, relying then on the consequent standardization of successful procedures.