INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION
Guiding Radiological Protection since 1928

www.icrp.org

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON
RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION
Since 1928, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
has successfully developed the System of Radiological Protection as the basis
for radiological protection standards, legislation, guidance, programmes andpractice worldwide.
ICRP is a charity established to provide independent recommendations andguidance on radiological protection for the public benefit.
In preparing its recommendations, ICRP considers advances in scientificknowledge, evolving social values, and practical experience. Formulating
standards, regulations, and codes of practice is the responsibility of othernational and international organisations.
The objective of the work of ICRP is to contribute to an appropriate levelof protection against the detrimental effects of ionising radiation
exposure without unduly limiting the benefits associated with the use ofradiation.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS
1928

Founded at the Second International Congress on Radiology as theInternational X-ray and Radium Protection Committee

1934

Tolerance Dose introduced, the first step towards dose limitation

1950

Renamed International Commission on Radiological Protection

1954

Recommendation to “reduce exposure ... to the lowest possiblelevel”, the first step towards optimisation

1977

The basic principles of Justification, Optimisation and DoseLimitation are introduced

1990

Reduction of the dose limits to those used today

2005

Remit broadened to include protection of the environment

2007

Current fundamental recommendations (ICRP Publication 103)

2011

First International Symposium on the System of RadiologicalProtection

STRUCTURE

Main Commission
The Main Commission consists of the Chair, up to twelve other members, and theScientific Secretary. The Main Commission is the governing body, setting the policy
and programme of work, and approving all official publications.

Scientific Secretariat
The Scientific Secretariat manages the daily business of ICRP. It is led by theScientific Secretary, who is also the Editor of the Annals of the ICRP, and often
represents the organisation in international forums.

Committee 1, Radiation Effects: assesses scientific knowledge on radiation risk,
examining possible implications on the System of Radiological Protection.

Committee 2, Doses from Radiation Exposure: develops reference models anddata, including dose coefficients, for the assessment of exposure to radiation.

Committee 3, Protection in Medicine: develops recommendations and guidance on
the protection of patients, staff, and the public against radiation exposure in medicine.

Committee 4, Application of the Commission’s Recommendations: develops principles
and recommendations on radiological protection of people in all exposure situations.

Committee 5, Protection of the Environment: develops reference models and data,and guidance on radiological protection of the environment.

Task Groups write reports, and normally consist of Committee members and experts
from outside the Main Commission and Committees.

OPERATIONSMembership
Members come from over 30 countries on six continents and from all disciplines relevant toradiological protection. Selected on the basis of their recognised competence andexperience, members are volunteers invited to join ICRP as independent experts for fouryear terms.

Observers
Recognising the importance of relations with other international organisations with aninterest in radiological protection, ICRP invites observers to its Committees from thefollowing organisations:




The European Commission
The International Agency for Research in Cancer
The International Atomic Energy AgencyThe International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements
The International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Labour Organisation
The International Organisation for Standardisation
The International Radiation Protection Association
The Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation
The World Health Organisation

Meetings
The Main Commission meets twice per year, while Committees meet annually and Task
Groups meet as necessary. A joint meeting of the Main Commission and Committees is heldbiennially.

Publications
Beginning in 1928, ICRP recommendations were published in various journals andproceedings. From 1959, these were published in numbered reports, and since 1975 in a
dedicated journal, the Annals of the ICRP. ICRP now seeks comments on most publications
through open consultation.

Finances
ICRP is primarily financed through voluntary contributions from organisations with an interestin radiological protection. All contributions are accepted with the understanding that they do
not influence the ICRP membership or programme of work.

ICRP in Numbers (as of July 2011)
232 Members
113 Numbered Publications
27 Active Task Groups
13 Fundamental Recommendations since 1928
5 Standing Committees

1 System of Radiological ProtectionICRP STRENGTHSICRP recommendations are the basis ofstandards, legislation, and practice worldwide

Independent

World-class experts

Co-operation with international organisations

Well-known and widely respected internationally

CHALLENGES

Technological developments in medicine

Non-cancer effects

Natural sources of radiation

Protection of the environment

Maintaining knowledge and expertise inradiological protectionOBJECTIVES Improved dissemination of ICRP
recommendations
 Scientific work focused on improving the Systemof Radiological Protection
 Raised awareness of radiological protection inmedicine
 Protection of the environment fully integrated into
the System of Radiological Protection
 Positive relationships with organisations
interested in radiological protection
 Best practices applied to the governance of ICRPINITIATIVES Making ICRP publications available at low or nocost Recommending research needed to strengthen
the System of Radiological Protection
 Holding regular ICRP symposia
 Increasing ICRP participation in radiologicalprotection and other forums
 Openly seeking nominations for new members

ICRP Strategic Plan 2011-2017
ICRP ref 4850-5618-6632© ICRP 2011