Revision of IAEA International Basic Safety Standards (BSS) - draft (1.0)

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been playing a lead role in developing international Basic Safety Standards (BSS) for protection against ionizing radiation and for the safety of radiation sources. The BSS provide guidance for implementing and regulating the all applications involving radiation and radioisotopes, taking cognizance of the basic recommendations of the ICRP. A review of the BSS (SS-115, 1996) was carried out in 2007 in cooperation with the co-sponsors (FAO, ILO, NEA, PAHO and WHO). In a technical meeting involving more than 130 participants from Member States, international organizations and international professional societies, recommendations were made on the revision of the BSS, including that the revised edition should follow the 2007 recommendations of the ICRP (ICRP-103, 2007) to the extent possible.

The first draft 1.0 (DS379) – was thus prepared and is available for comments at the IAEA website. The draft consists of: Introduction, general requirements for protection and safety and requirements for the three exposure situations identified by the ICRP, viz., planned exposure situations, Emergency exposure situations and Existing exposure situations, four Schedules and list of References.

The document emphasizes the responsibilities of government: The government shall establish and maintain an appropriate and effective legal, regulatory and organizational framework for radiation protection and safety. It ensures that the prime responsibility for protection and safety rests with the person/organization responsible for facilities and activities that give rise to radiation risks. The government establishes and maintains a regulatory body with clearly defined functions and responsibilities for regulating radiation protection and safety. It also ensures that the scale of regulatory requirements applied to any exposure situation is commensurate with the associated radiation risks.

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the regulatory body is adequately funded and is effectively independent of persons and organizations using or otherwise promoting the use of radiation, so that it is independent of any undue pressure from interested parties and any conflict of interest.

(Some more highlights will be presented in the National Conference of IARP, Defence Labs, Jodpur, India during November 19-21, 2008).