Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
| Statutory Instrument | |
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| Citation | 1999 No. 3232 |
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| Introduced by | Larry Whitty – Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom, overseas |
| Dates | |
| Made | 3 December 1999 |
| Commencement | 1 January 2000 |
| Repealed | — |
| Other legislation | |
| Made under | European Communities Act 1972, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
| Amended by | — |
| Repealed by | — |
| Relates to | — |
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Status: Current legislation
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk | |
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) are a statutory instrument which form the main legal requirements for the use and control of ionising radiation in the United Kingdom. The main aim of the regulations as defined by the official code of practice is to "establish a framework for ensuring that exposure to ionising radiation arising from work activities, whether man made or natural radiation and from external radiation or internal radiation, is kept as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) and does not exceed dose limits specified for individuals".
The regulations came into force on 1 January 2000, replacing the 'Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985'. They effectively implement the majority of the European Basic Safety Standards Directive '96/29/Euratom' under the auspices of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This European Directive is in turn a reflection of the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
The regulations are aimed at employers and are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive(HSE). They form the legal basis for ionising radiation protection in the United Kingdom (UK), although work with ionising radiation is also controlled in the UK through other statutory instruments such as the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 and the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.
The IRR99 make legal requirements including prior authorisation of the use of particle accelerators and x-ray machines, the appointment of radiation protection supervisors (RPS) and advisors (RPA), control and restriction of exposure to ionising radiation (including dose limits), and a requirement for local rules. Local rules including the designation of controlled areas, defined as places where "special procedures are needed to restrict significant exposure".
In 2013 the European Union adopted directive 2013/59/Euratom which requires updated Ionising Radiations Regulations to implement the directive in UK law by 2018. Changes include reduced eye dose limits as a result of updated ICRP recommendations.
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