ICRP path forward to the next recommendations: WNA preliminary views on the ICRP proposed profound changes to the current RP system and on continuing to build an international consensus towards an improved proposal

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, which is entitled: '2005 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection', was presented in May 2004 at a key international conference called IRPA-11. This proposal emerged from two earlier forums jointly organized by ICRP and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Moreover, following IRPA-11, ICRP launched an open consultation on its draft proposal that ended in December 2004. This openness in the development of the next ICRP recommendations has been widely appreciated by the international RP community and no doubt helped many parties further reflect on the current RP system and on its potential evolution