[en] The Dose Equivalent Index (DEI) has been proposed as a dosimetric standard. We have considered the impact of the change on health physics instrumentation measurements and have evaluated the probable errors of representative instruments for measuring the DEI. Little change is found from earlier slab standards. A more important consideration is the appropriateness of the use of the DEI as a dosimetric standard. The DEI may be satisfactory from a conservative viewpoint, but is not necessarily proportional to the true radiological risks involved. An alternate parameter (such as the 1 cm depth dose equivalent for an isotropically irradiated 30 cm sphere as suggested by Kramer) may be more appropriate