[en] For more than thirty years, the laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency have been involved in the monitoring of environmental radioactivity and in the world-wide provision of reference materials for radionuclides in environmental matrices. The occurrence of hot particles in selected sites and their morphological, structural, chemical and radiochemical characteristics have to be better investigated in order to identify possible correlations with the contaminating event and to assess the associated radiological risks. Research on radionuclides in the environment will also be extended to the measurement and compilation of data on the contaminants introduced by non-nuclear industrial activities and agrochemical treatments. In response to the world-wide trend towards increased reliability, comparability and traceability of chemical and radiochemical measurements, The IAEA will revise, develop and document a set of reference analytical procedures for naturally occurring radionuclides, which will supplement the current revision of procedures for anthropogenic radionuclides. The IAEA will enhance its support provided to the laboratories in the Member States for the implementation of a quality system and to achieve traceability of their radiometric measurements. Furthermore the IAEA will continue to provide training and maintain comparability and reliability of environmental radiochemical measurements by organizing proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons. These tests and exercises will also be used by the IAEA to monitor and evaluate the capability and preparedness of its ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for Measuring Environmental Radioactivity) Network