(S1) This Summary indicates the Commission’s aims and the way in which the
recommendations may be applied. The necessary concepts are defined and explained in the
main text following this Summary.
The Aim of the Recommendations
(S2) The fundamental aim of the Commission was set out as follows in the 1990
Recommendations.
‘The primary aim of radiological protection is to provide an appropriate
standard of protection for man without unduly limiting the beneficial actions
giving rise to radiation exposure. This aim cannot be achieved on the basis of
scientific concepts alone. All those concerned with radiological protection
have to make value judgements about the relative importance of different
kinds of risk and about the balancing of risks and benefits. In this, they are no
different from those working in other fields concerned with the control of
hazards.’
This statement still represents the Commission’s position.
(S3) The Commission has concluded that its recommendations should be based on a simple,
but widely applicable, general system of protection that will clarify its objectives and will
provide a basis for the more formal systems needed by operating managements and
regulators. It also recognises the need for stability in regulatory systems at a time when there
is no major problem identified with the practical use of the present system of protection in
normal situations. The use of the optimisation principle, together with the use of constraints
and the current dose limits, has led to a general overall reduction in both occupational and
public doses over the past decade. The Commission now strengthens its recommendations by
quantifying constraints for all controllable sources in all situations.

 

L'intero draft è scaricabile (fino al 31/12/2004) da: http://www.icrp.org/icrp_rec_june.asp