This International Standard gives guidelines for the common basic methodology of empirically determining scaling factors to evaluate the radioactivity of difficult-to-measure nuclides in low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste packages. This International Standard gives common guidelines for the scaling factors used in the characterization of contaminated wastes produced in nuclear power plants with water-cooled reactor. This International Standard is also relevant to other reactor types, such as gas-cooled reactors. Methodologies for determining scaling factors based on theoretical considerations (i.e. not based on experimental measurement) are not covered by this International Standard.