IEC 62327:2017(E) specifies general characteristics, general test procedures, radiation characteristics, as well as electrical, mechanical, safety, and environmental characteristics. This document applies to hand-held instruments used to detect and identify radionuclides and radioactive material, to estimate ambient dose equivalent rate from photon radiation, and optionally, to detect neutron radiation. They are commonly known as radionuclide identification devices or RIDs.
 This new edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of detailed methods of test;
- revised identification test acceptance criteria for environmental tests;
- changed format to match the one of similar standards.