Problems with differences and imperfections of exemptions

Exemption limits in radiation protection regulations in different countries are not defined and used in the same manner. Exemption limits can be, for example, exemptions from the legal duty of licensing or notification of the handling of radioactive materials. In some cases exemption limits are used in connection with the handling of wastes. Exemption limits are fixed by the Euratom basic safety standards. In most cases the classification of radionuclides in four groups by the Euratom basic safety standards has proven unsatisfactory in practice when these exemption limits are used for radioactive wastes in West Germany. Potential exposures which would not be accepted when resulting from effluents of nuclear facilities for example are sometimes allowed in the field of waste management. This is caused primarily by the classification scheme of exemption limits. (author)