Revision of the Basic Safety Standards (BSS)

The IAEA International Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources is in the final stage of revision.

A review of the Basic Safety Standards (the BSS) was carried out in 2006 in cooperation with the cosponsors (FAO, ILO, NEA, PAHO and WHO) and potential cosponsors UNEP and EC. The review concluded that, while there was no major issue requiring urgent revision, there was a case to be made for the revision of the BSS in order to take account of the many improvements that have been suggested. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in cooperation with the co-sponsoring and potential co-sponsoring organizations, initiated the revision of the BSS in 2007.

The revised International Basic Safety Standards was endorsed by the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS) at its meeting from 25-27 May 2011. The CSS has asked that Member States be consulted about the change (Draft 5.0) to the dose limit for the lens of the eye. Member States are invited to on this change by 7 July 2011. This is a major milestone in the development process of the revision. The revised BSS will now be submitted to the Board of Governors for approval at its meeting to be held from 12-16 September 2011 (IAEA News).