International Basic Safety Standards – Protecting people and the environment

An interim edition of the IAEA Safety Requirements document: “Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards” (BSS) was published in November 2011. The revision of the BSS was coordinated by a BSS Secretariat consisting of representatives of the IAEA, FAO, EC, ILO, UNEP, PAHO, WHO and NEA/OECD. The BSS takes into account the Fundamental Safety Principles, the findings of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP) and other applicable ICRP statements and publications. This paper provides an overview of the revised BSS, including requirements on preparedness for a nuclear or radiological emergency and to remediation of areas contaminated by residual radioactive material following a nuclear or radiological emergency.