The current regulatory framework is the result of a collaborative, complex and lengthy process, including extensive consultation and cooperation with stakeholders (stakeholders) as well as public consultation via the opengov.gr platform. Its key features are as follows:

• It clearly defines the responsibilities of those who use radiation or radioactive sources (undertakings). From now on, all those involved in radiation practices and applications explicitly assume their respective responsibilities with regard to radiation protection.
• It follows a graded approach based on the level of risk. The tiered approach to regulatory control brings about significant changes, the main feature of which is the simplification of regulatory control procedures, which are now codified into three tiers: notification, registration, authorisation.
• It highlights environmental issues (e.g. naturally occurring radioactive materials, radon), which are clearly incorporated into the new regulatory framework for radiation protection and treated on an ‘equal footing’ with the use of radiation for medical purposes.
• It ensures the acceleration and simplification of procedures for issuing licences/approvals for the operation of medical and/or industrial facilities by reducing the required supporting documentation and eliminating intermediate stages (e.g. pre-approvals or construction permits).
• Strengthens the role of the EEAE as a ‘one-stop shop’ with regard to regulatory control of radiation protection.

See Frequently asked questions and answers regarding the Radiation Protection Regulations.

The radiation protection framework is structured in a pyramid-like manner across four hierarchical levels, comprising, from top to bottom, the following:

• a presidential decree, which is the primary piece of legislation establishing the regulatory framework governing the use of ionising radiation,
• three joint ministerial decisions, the first of which concerns the procedures for the regulatory control of ionising radiation practices and the accreditation of services and experts, the second, the implementation of management strategies for existing exposure situations; and the third, the adoption of a national action plan to address long-term risks from exposure to radon,
• decisions of the EEAE, which are regulatory acts specifying particular technical matters,
• guidelines, which are intended to facilitate compliance with legal requirements.

Presidential Decree 101/2018

Presidential Decree 101/2018 ‘Adaptation of Greek legislation to Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013, laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from ionising radiation and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom 90/641/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom, 97/43/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom (OJ L13/17.1.2014) – Adoption of Radiation Protection Regulations, Government Gazette 194/A/20 November 2018 emphasises the following points:

• the graded approach to regulatory control based on risk level,
• the importance of justification in medical reports,
• the establishment of diagnostic reference levels as a tool for optimisation,
• the protection of workers from radiation, particularly pregnant and breastfeeding women,
• the importance of education, training and information for all individuals whose duties require specific skills in radiation protection,
• the definition of responsibilities, giving the undertaking full and exclusive responsibility for radiation protection in relation to the practices it implements,
• in promoting a safety culture,
• in reducing the dose limit for the lens of the eye for occupationally exposed persons,
• protection against natural sources of radiation and environmental issues in general,
• protection against radon in homes and workplaces, as well as new requirements for building materials,
• the emergency management system, covering both the preparation and response stages.

Joint Ministerial Decision 45872/2019

The Joint Ministerial Decision 45872/2019 ‘Regulatory control procedures for ionising radiation practices – recognition of services and experts’ (Government Gazette 1103/B/03.04.2019), as amended by Joint Ministerial Decision 32083/2022 (Government Gazette 1552/B/4 April 2022) (see relevant informal codification of the two Joint Ministerial Decisions), constitutes the primary text of the secondary implementing legislation for Presidential Decree 101/2018 and stipulates:

• the procedures and the necessary supporting documents for the notification and approval of practices subject to regulatory control for the purposes of radiation protection based on the graded approach,
• the practices for which registration or authorisation is required,
• the procedures for (a) the approval of radiation protection experts, medical physics experts and occupational health services, (b) the accreditation of dosimetry services and (c) the recognition of radiation protection supervisors.

Joint Ministerial Decision 135966/2019

The Joint Ministerial Decision 135966/2019 (Government Gazette 5116/B/31 December 2019) is a piece of secondary implementing legislation for Presidential Decree 101/2018 and concerns the implementation of management strategies for existing exposures. In particular, it sets out the procedure for establishing and the role of the Committee for the Management of Existing Exposures (CMEE).

The National Action Plan to Address Long-Term Risks from Radon Exposure (ESCHEDRA)

The Joint Ministerial Decision 43374/2020 (Government Gazette 1881/B/18 May 2020) on the national action plan to address the long-term risks from exposure to radon (ESCHEDRA) is a piece of secondary implementing legislation issued in accordance with the enabling provisions, collectively, of Law 4310/2014 and Presidential Decree 101/2018.

ESCHEDRA is a technical document, which describes the practical aspects of the provisions at national level for addressing the long-term risks from exposure to radon, in the form of a roadmap, that is, with technical steps, timetables, milestones, costs, etc., as required by Directive 2013/59/Euratom and the corresponding provisions of Presidential Decree 101/2018. 

EEAE Decisions

The decisions of the EEAE set out specific technical requirements for safety and radiation protection, and their adoption is based on specific authorising provisions in the preceding levels of legislation of the Radiation Protection Regulations (Presidential Decree and joint ministerial decisions). They constitute applicable law and are binding on all organisations. The technical requirements set out in EEAE decisions are updated in line with new scientific and technological developments in the relevant field.

EEAE decisions, as regulatory acts, are published in the Government Gazette. See the decisions that have been issued in detail on the legislation website here.

Guidelines

Guidelines are texts which do not, in themselves, constitute rules of law, but are provided to assist organisations in implementing specific aspects of the radiation protection regulatory framework. 

The guidelines are published on the EEAE website. See in detail the guidelines that have been issued.