The European Union Basic Safety Standards on Natural Radiation Sources Eberhardt Henrich, Augustin Janssens European Commission DG Energy and Transport TREN.H.4 - Radiation Protection Eberhardt Henrich European Commission TREN.H.4 EUFO2-4462 L 2920 Luxembourg Tel.: +352-4301-34705 Fax: +352-4301-34646 E-mail: eberhardt.henrich@cec.eu.int

Background (1) Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM ( ‘Basic Safety Standards Directive’, BSS) Deadline for implementation in the Member States 13 May 2000 Title VII of this Directive: natural radiation sources 8

Background (2) BSS, Articles 40 to 42: Deal with ‘significant increase in exposure due to natural radiation’ and apply to ‘work activities … within which the presence of natural radiation sources leads to a significant increase in the exposure of workers or of members of the public which cannot be disregarded from the radiation protection point of view’. 8

Background (3) BSS, Articles 40 to 42: Member States have to identify work activities that may be of concern. The BSS mentions in particular, work activities with exposure to radon and thoron decay products or external gamma radiation, work activities involving operations with NORM, and aircraft operation. 8

Background (4) BSS does not apply to: exposure from radon in dwellings, exposure from natural radionuclides in drinking water. Here other EU legislation applies 8

‘NORM’ situation as of now Situation in the ‘old’ EU Member States seems not to be consolidated yet. Situation in the ‘new’ EU Member States seems to be rather varying from country to country. ‘Screening methodology’ designed to help decide if regulatory control for NORM effluents could be necessary. Approach not yet harmonised (dose criterion for threshold; discussion: using an annual dose in the range of 10 to 300 µSv. Guidance paper on exemption and clearance. 8

Recent developments (1) Network NORMnet (operated on behalf of Rad. Prot. Unit): http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/nuclear/radioprotection/index_en.htm Or http://www.normnet.eu.com (registration needed) 8

Recent developments (2) Discussion of possible ‘new’ Basic Safety Standards by Group of Experts (Article 31 of Euratom Treaty) Will include any new developments with regard to treating radiation exposure to natural sources . Verification Visits according to Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty with a view to verify monitoring of the impact of NORM industries. 8

Some relevant publications (1) Practical Use of the Concepts of Clearance and Exemption - Part II: Application of the Concepts of Exemption and Clearance to Natural Radiation Sources. Radiation Protection Publication RP 122, Part II, Luxembourg, 2002. Effluent and Dose Control from European Union NORM Industries – Assessment of Current Situation and Proposal for a Harmonised Community Approach. Radiation Protection Publication RP 135, Vol. 1 and 2, Luxembourg, 2004. 8

Some relevant publications (2) Ryan et al: Industries Giving Rise to NORM Discharges in the EU – A Review. Ryan et al: New Regulatory Developments and Guidance in the EU with regard to NORM. Henrich et al.: The Rapid Identification of NORM Discharges Requiring Regulatory Control – A Possible Screening Methodology. All in Proceedings NORM IV Conference, 16 – 21 May 2004, Szczyrk, PL, 2004. 8

DG Energy and Transport (TREN) comprises 10 directorates (A to J): DG TREN Organigram DG Energy and Transport (TREN) comprises 10 directorates (A to J): 8

Directorate H (Nuclear Energy) comprises 4 units (H.1 to H.4): DG TREN H Directorate Directorate H (Nuclear Energy) comprises 4 units (H.1 to H.4): H.1: EURATOM co-ordination, international relations H.2 : Nuclear Energy, waste management H.3: Nuclear accountancy H.4: Radiation protection Sector H.4.1: Article 35 Verifications 8

Thank you for your attention!