The new radiation protection framework since 2019 – Implementation in Germany and comparison of some aspects in seven European countries

Abstract

Purpose The implementation of EU Directive 2013/59 EURATOM (EU-BSS) of 2014 led to a reorganization of radiation protection legislation in Germany in the form of a new radiation protection law Strahlenschutzgesetz (StrlSchG) of 2017 and a new radiation protection ordinance Strahlenschutzverordnung (StrlSchV) of 2018. For application of ionizing radiation in medicine these changes affect radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. A comparison between the old and the new legal system analyses changes that are relevant for diagnostic and interventional radiology. For the important new regulation of unintended exposures, a comparison is made with the implementation of Art. 63 EU-BSS in 7 European countries.

Material and methods The provisions of the Röntgenverordnung (RöV) and the old Strahlenschutzverordnung (StrlSchV alt), which were valid until 2018, are compared with the new legislation of StrlSchG and StrlSchV for changes in radiation protection for patients, the population and occupational radiation protection of staff members. The occupational dose limit of the eye lens was reduced. The reduction by a factor of 7.5 results in new requirements for radiation protection equipment. New requirements in teleradiology are compared with the previous regulation, as well as the necessary involvement of medical physics experts (MPE) in high dose procedures, such as CT and fluoroscopic interventions. The regulation for unintended exposures of the German StrlSchV are analyzed in terms of their reporting criteria.

Results The principles of medical radiation protection in Germany have not changed as a result of the new radiation protection legislation from 2019 onwards. However, there are a number of changes and new requirements that must be considered and implemented. Important points are e. g. new regulations on teleradiology, early detection of diseases in asymptomatic individuals and reporting of unintended exposure of patients. As all new regulations are no longer found in only one single regulation, both knowledge of the StrlSchG and the StrlSchV are necessary.

Key points: 

• The EU Directive 2013/59 EURATOM (EU-BSS) was transposed into the new German radiation protection law 2018

• The basic regulations of the RöV and old StrlSchV remain unchanged

• Newly added regulations must be known and implemented in practice

• Many regulations of the EU-BSS are so vaguely formulated that they allow a wide scope for national implementation

Citation Format

• Loose R, Wucherer M, Walz M et al. The new radiation protection framework since 2019 – Implementation in Germany and comparison of some aspects in seven European countries. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 1036 – 1045

Key words

radiation safety - medicolegal Issues - EU Directive 2013/59 EURATOM - radiation protection law - radiation protection ordinance

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 28. Juli 2019

Angenommen: 29. Februar 2020

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. April 2020

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