Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Netherlands (Ratification: 1966)

I. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's latest report concerning the adoption of the Nuclear Energy Act Radiation Protection Decree, 1986. It notes the statistics provided in the Government's report concerning the doses of radiation received by radiologists in the Netherlands. In 1989, 173 individuals received annual doses between 15mSv and 50 mSv and 9 individuals received annual doses over 50 mSv. The Committee would draw the Government's attention to its General Observation under this Convention which sets forth, inter alia, the revised dose limits for exposure to ionising radiations adopted on the basis of new physiological findings by the International Commission on Radiological Protection in its 1990 Recommendations (Publication No. 60). The Committee would recall that, under Article 3, paragraph 1 and Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention, all appropriate steps shall be taken to ensure effective protection of workers against ionising radiations and to review maximum permissible doses of ionising radiations in the light of current knowledge. The Government is requested to indicate the steps taken or being considered in relation to the matters raised in the conclusions to the General Observation.

II. The Committee notes with regret that the information provided in the Government's report did not reply to its General Observation of 1987. The Committee would now call the Government's attention to paragraphs 16 to 27 and 35(c) of its General Observation under this Convention which concern occupational exposure during and after an emergency. The Government is requested to indicate whether, in emergency situations, exceptions are permitted to the normally tolerated dose limits prescribed for exposure to ionising radiations and, if so, to indicate the exceptional levels of exposure allowed in such circumstances and to specify the manner in which these circumstances are defined.