PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Radiation Exposure (13 May 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the EU Directive 96/29/Euratom on safety standards relating to ionizing radiation, whether the Government is funding the implementation of the guidelines set out in that directive.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

The Basic Safety Standards for protection against dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation Directive (2013/59/EURATOM), or the BSSD as it is known, updates 96/29/Euratom, and covers occupational, public, and medical exposures to ionising radiation, with several government departments and regulators responsible for updating regulations to ensure effective transposition.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) implemented the occupational exposure aspects of the BSSD and brought in the required new standards in the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17). The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR), which address public exposures, have been updated and are due to come into force on 22 May 2019. HSE and the Office for Nuclear Regulation have enforcement responsibility. The amended medical requirements have been implemented by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (as amended) and are enforced by the relevant enforcing authority in England, Scotland and Wales.

Answered by:
Justin Tomlinson (Conservative)
21 May 2019