WNA views on the evolution of international radiological protection policies proposed by ICRP

For several years, international policy on radiological protection has been under discussion with a view to a significant revision (recently delayed until 2006-2007). The focal point of this discussion has been an evolving draft proposal of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The current ICRP draft proposal, entitled: '2005 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection', was presented in May 2004 at a key international conference called IRPA-11. Thereafter, ICRP launched an open consultation on its draft proposal that ended in December 2004. Further to this consultation process, ICRP acknowledged the overall negative reaction its draft proposal provoked. The key reasons that seem to explain this negative reaction are that: 1. The proposal includes a number of 'Profound Changes' 2. The general context does not warrant such changes 3. The overall rationale of the proposal is insufficient in view of such changes This paper discussed about each of these three items. Overall, the W.N.A. views are that the current R.P. system can and should be improved through consolidation and simplification with substantive changes being focused to correct specifically identified shortcomings or weaknesses. The ICRP draft proposal should clearly identify these and explain how it specifically helps to address them. This overall rationale is currently insufficient. In March 2005, ICRP asserted that many comments on its draft proposal arise because the ICRP five draft Foundation Documents (F.D.) have not yet been put out for consultation. Our review of these F.D. confirms that they fall short especially in terms of an overall rationale for the proposed changes. Also, concerning the 'Profound Changes', the F.D. do not seem to bring explanations that would allow us to modify our position. In continuing to build an international consensus towards an improved draft proposal, the W.N.A. therefore feels it important to present (in this paper) its views about the ICRP draft proposal in the following categories: I. Areas that seem to be in line with the current international consensus II. Areas that seem to have evolved but need to progress further III. Areas that seem to depart from the current international consensus To complement our broad comments on the draft proposal, the W.N.A. also offers a few specific comments on each of the F.D.. We hope that this information could be useful to a wide ran ge of interested parties for the preparation of their own deliberations about the ICRP proposal. (authors)