The most relevant aspects of the new basic Safety standards of radiation protection in the European Union (Directive 96/26)

One of the fundamental tasks attributed to the European Union by the EURATOM Treaty is to establish uniform safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against hazards of ionizing radiation. Last May 13 ''th the council of Ministers approved 96/29 Euratom Directive laying down the new basic safety standards of the European Union. Those standards consider the development of scientific knowledge concerning radiation protection, as expressed in particular in the publication 60 of the International Commission on Radiation Protection. Spain, as a Member State of the European Union, Must lay down the appropriate legal provisions to ensure compliance with the requirements of 96/29 Euratom Directive, on a period of four years after the date of approval. This paper describes the most relevant aspects of the basic safety standards of the European Union emphasizing in those involving relevant practical implications in the Spanish current legislation on radiation protection. (Author)