Title: Radiation protection in Germany: structures, regulations and the LNT debate

Authors: Klaus Becker

Addresses: Radiation, Science and Health, Boothstr. 27, D-12207 Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Relatively little information is available in English about the current situation in this field in the world|s third largest economy, in which nuclear power remains the largest supplier of electricity. Therefore, a brief review is provided concerning the structure, fields of activity and assessment of the relative role and influence of different governmental and non-governmental organisations on the development of radiation protection standards, regulations and laws. In particular, the relevant activities of the Radiation Protection Commission (SSK), the Federal Radiation Protection Agency (BfS), the Radiation Protection Association (FS) and other scientific societies are briefly described. Another section deals with standard-setting by the German Standards Institute (DIN) and the Nuclear Technology Committee (KTA), as well as some other organisations which are more or less involved.

Keywords: authorities; Germany; laws; LNT debate; low dose effects; radiation protection; regulations; standards; nuclear energy; nuclear power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNUCL.2008.017928

International Journal of Nuclear Law, 2008 Vol.2 No.1, pp.1 - 17

Published online: 23 Apr 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article