European ALARA Network The European ALARA Network Set

European ALARA Network

The European ALARA Network » Set up in 1996 by the European Commission in order to : » Promote the application of the ALARA principle within the non nuclear industry, the research and medical sector, and the nuclear cycle, » Provide a mean for feedback experience and the exchange and dissemination of good radiation protection practices, » Provide the European Commission and other stakeholders with recommendations concerning radiation protection issues (research projects, regulations, databases, workshops, etc. )

Self-sustaining EAN » Since 2005: » EC funding ceased, » Not-for-profit association under the French law, » Supporting by contributions from 14 members, » Co-operation charter (Terms and Conditions), » Continuation of activities: » Co-ordinator (CEPN) and assistant (HPA), » Steering Group, » Newsletter and workshops, » New website.

Evolution of EAN Objectives » To maintain and develop competences in radiation protection, with special emphasis on ALARA for all types of exposures in routine operations and emergency situations » To contribute to harmonisation of radiation protection policies and practices, particularly concerning ALARA, at regulatory and operational levels » To cover all types of practices within the different sectors » To cover radiation protection themes relevant to all sectors, as well as themes specific to one or more sector(s).

EAN Member States in 2009 • 8 (1996) 20 countries (2009) (14 in the Administrative Board) • Latest members: Iceland, Slovenia.

EAN National Representatives » 20 national contact points from: » Regulatory bodies, » Government agencies, » Research institutes, » Utilities/users. » Steering Group and Administrative Board: » Decide strategy of EAN, » Contribute to EAN running cost, » Meet twice a year.

The ALARA Newsletter » Six-monthly issue, » 24 issues until now, » Largely (x 1000 s) distributed through website and e-mails in Europe, but also in America, Asia and Africa, » Articles, » Accident/incident reports, » Summary and recommendations from Workshops, » News

EAN Website (www. eu-alara. net)

The Workshops » To: » Exchange feedback, » Identify problems that need further research, » Aid the implementation of ALARA in practice, » One per year/18 months, » Limited audience: 50/80 persons, » Real Workshops: » Working groups, » Conclusions and recommendations.

Workshop participants » Regulators, researchers, advisors, users, medics, TU, government, international bodies, etc.

Workshops » Papers published on the website, » Conclusions published in the Newsletter and in national journals on radiation protection.

Workshops » Approx. 10 recommendations per Workshop to EC, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders.

12 th EAN Workshop » ALARA Issues arising for Safety and Security of Radiation Sources and Security Screening Devices. » Vienna - 21 -23 October 2009 » www. alara 2009. at

EAN Products and Outcomes » European surveys : » BSS implementation (2000 and 2006), » Exchange on incidents (2000 -2002) - Workshop 2, » Outside workers directives (2004 -2005). » Working groups and subnetworks: » Research reactors (2002 -2008), » Regulatory bodies (ERPAN since 2005) - Workshop 8, » EAN NORM (since 2006) - Workshop 9. » Projects: » SMOPIE (Workshop 1 and 3) - recommendations to ICRP (Workshop 9), » European NDT guidance.

Other EAN Outcomes » External links: » e. g. medical (EFOMP, ECRS, ESR), » New IAEA regional networks: » Central/Estearn Europe (RECAN), » South Asia and Pacific (ARAN), » Africa, South America : to be set-up. » Actions taken nationally in EAN member states: » Working groups set up by regulators, » Accident databases and feedback, » Changes to national regulations (e. g. Norway), » Improved radiography safety device (e. g. EDF in France), » Etc.

Lessons Learned from EAN » Networking can be flexible, fast and efficient. » Personal links are important. » Need the right people. » Need a mix of stakeholders: more effort is needed to involve workers, etc. » Many future challenges: medical sector (EMAN), NORM, NDT, nuclear decommissioning.