Experience of the European ALARA Network

1. Experience of the European ALARA Network C.Lefaure - EAN chairman Daejon . December 2007

2. Early development of ALARA from 1973 to 1992 1973-1982 A theoretical approach ICRP 22, 26, 37 1982-1987 A structured empirical approach : the ALARA procedure 1987-1992 Development of more pragmatic approaches and tools: ALARA Programmes, mainly in NPPs - ICRP 60 - The book ALARA from theory towards practice 1991 1992-1995 Need to disseminate the ALARA concept, culture and tools outside the nuclear sector Daejon . December 2007

3. 11 Years Old • 1996 : EAN Founded and sponsored by EC (DG Research / DG Environment) • Self-sustainable since 2005 • 2007 :9  21 countries are represented by at least one institution in SG. • (13 in the Administrative Board) • both nuclear and non nuclear. • Coordination : • CEPN (France) - HPA (UK) Daejon . December 2007

4. EAN Objectives • To maintain and developcompetences 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). Daejon . December 2007

5. EAN Activities 1996-2006 (1) • 10 Workshops (700 participants) • (decommissioning, internal exposures, risks management, industrial radioagraphy, medical sector and radiopharmaceuticals, site rehabilitation, inspection & control), NORM industry, Daejon . December 2007

6. EAN Activities 1996-2006 (2) The annual Workshops • Topics where improvements are possible • Few tens of participants • Conclusions and recommendations in: • newsletters • Web site • National journals… • 10 Workshops  ~ 100 topical recommendations to: • EU, ICRP, IAEA, National Authorities, • Operators, Workers trainers, etc. Daejon . December 2007

7. EAN Activities 1996-2006 (3) • 21 ALARA Newsletters(2 issues/year) •  1,000s addressees • 1 Website & its Forum / http://www.eu-alara.net  10,000s/y downloads • Several sub-networks or brother network RR; NDT; …NORM; EMAN Daejon . December 2007

8. Site Web EAN - www.eu-alara.net Daejon . December 2007

9. EAN Activities 1996-2006 (4) • EAN a vehicle to support European surveys • European regulation (BSS) implementation (2000) (2006) • Exchange on incidents (2000-2002) (W2) • Outside workers Directive (2004-2005) • In areas where in depth developments are needed EAN to favour working groups and sub networks • Research reactors (EASN since 2002) (W1 to 3) • NDT with EFNDT (WG 2003) (W5) • Regulatory bodies ( ERPAN since 2005) (W8) • working group on ALARA training (2006) Daejon . December 2007

10. A DECADE OF EUROPEAN ALARA NETWORK • First period (1996-2000), experts from regulatory bodies, research centres, major nuclear utilities … and EC • Second period (2001-2007) other types of participants • representatives of professional bodies such as EFNDT, ECRRT, EFOMP, ESR ; • representatives of manufacturers of devices using ionising radiations; or of radiation monitoring devices • representatives of international organisations other than EC • representatives of radiological protection training centres, • a few representatives of trade unions or of NORM industries Daejon . December 2007

11. A DECADE OF EUROPEAN ALARA NETWORK • A network of individuals with expertise and enthusiasm from contacts in training courses. • Core on which to build a more structured network • More on individual interactions than organisational ones • But organisations provided time and effort of their staff… • … and EC provided funding. Daejon . December 2007

12. Impacts examples (1) • A research project on optimisation of radiological protection of internal exposure (W1 & 3) • A european survey for the setting up of a new European system dealing with radiological incidents follow up (W2) • Following a W9 recommendation . ICRP RP06 paragraph 133 is directly related to the results of the research project ( dose coefficients and low radon emanation). • All sub networks have been set up (or will be) after W recommendations. Daejon . December 2007

13. Impacts examples (2) • One of the most interesting impact has been the setting up by the Norwegian regulatory body of a long term national plan for improving radiological protection in implementing the recommendations from the previous EAN workshops. • Many countries have set up working groups between regulatory bodies and other stakeholders after W5 and W6 workshops • After W5, EDF, the French nuclear utility has promoted the development of an alarm device called “sentinelle” for advising worker when the source is not back in the container. Daejon . December 2007

14. Lessons learned from EAN: a success story • EAN has been and is still successful, and growing • number of countries participating, (last Romania in 2007) • number of topics addressed, (EMAN in 2008…) • number of recommendations implemented, • new international European projects • modifications of national regulations and/or regulatory procedures, • - organisation of specific working groups between regulatory bodies and other stakeholders, • - development of specific monitoring devices, • What are the reasons of that success? Daejon . December 2007

15. a dialogue structure between stakeholders (1) EAN is a forum for discussions between stakeholders who otherwise would have little or no opportunity to interact. Example: the Rome workshop on “Industrial Radiography”. Which brought together: experts in radiological protection from international organisations, national regulatory bodies and research centres, representatives of non-destructive testing companies and of their clients, representatives of monitoring device manufacturers, training companies and trade unions. Daejon . December 2007

16. a dialogue structure between stakeholders (2) EAN is an arena where no binding decision has to be taken and where participants do not represent officially the “interest” of the institutions and countries they belong to (no “institutional” stake is directly at work), Each stakeholder can listen to the “free speeches” of the others. As they all agree that the main objective is to reduce radiological risks for human beings, they try to reach consensual recommendations and generally succeed in doing so Daejon . December 2007

17. Lessons learned from EAN • Personal links and Communication • Opportunities for communication between individuals, not institutions • Many “bypasses”, • Enthusiasm • A real keyword • To put forward for discussion the real problems • To try to find together solutions • Through actions favouring a bottom-up approach Daejon . December 2007

18. Lessons learned from EAN • Flexibility • Much more than any other type of organisation between institutions • No permission has to be requested • No formal rules have to be followed. • Initiatives are easily taken • Collective efficiency • Differences lead to solutions more generic • Solutions with more chance of sustainability Daejon . December 2007

19. Lessons learned from EAN • Favouring Team work • A very efficient way of producing recommendations • that are discussed in plenary sessions is the work in • small groups • Making use of the existing network • An efficient network is a good support for European • Surveys, studies and seminars (outside workers…) • Much more easy to be done when relying on ad hoc • Partners, participating to the same network. Daejon . December 2007

20. - 11th Workshop • ALARA in Waste Management: • Focus on the implementation of the ALARA principle with regard to occupational and public exposures arising from the management of radioactive waste. • This includes waste from the nuclear, medical, NORM, industrial, education andresearch sectors. Daejon . December 2007

21. Evolution of EAN organisation • When self-sustainable, • a co-operation charter (in June 2005) describing objectives, activities, organisation, financing • 13 countries financially support its coordination while others support specific EAN actions such as workshops. • A legal entity, not for profit organisation under the French law, has been set up in July 2005. • Members of Steering group selected by the stakeholders in each country. Daejon . December 2007

22. Challenges for EAN, EAN NORM and other Networks • To involve more and more stakeholders (authorities, operators, workers, NGO, Trade Unions,...) dealing with radiological protection (prevention, precaution, vigilance) • To become increasingly places where divergences between stakeholders can be discussed and compromises can be worked out • To become active and recognised interlocutors in risk management decision processes by sharing experiences, promoting good practices, influencing international rules and regulations. • To help in launching other networks in other world regions... and collaborate with them afterwards. Daejon . December 2007