Radiation Protection Register - Overview and contact

The Radiation Protection Register is a central institution of the Federal Government and is run by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. It contributes to the radiation protection monitoring of workers who are occupationally exposed to ionising radiation. Thus, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) fulfils a statutory task previously laid down in the Atomic Energy Act. After commencement of the new Radiation Protection Act, this task is laid down there.

The Radiation Protection Register supervises the compliance with the limit values for the permissible annual radiation exposure and occupational lifetime doses as well as the issuance of radiation passports.

Data recorded in the Radiation Protection Register

Various measurement data and notifications are merged in the Radiation Protection Register:

• the body doses from external and internal occupational radiation exposures determined by officially appointed dosimetry services,
• the substitutional doses - if necessary - set by the supervisory authorities of the Länder (Federal States),
• further communications on dose control,
• notifications by regional registration authorities on the issuance of radiation passports and related official processes.

Changes due to the new Radiation Protection Act: Introduction of a unique identification number

• As a result of the new Radiation Protection Act (Section 170 StrlSchG) all individuals subject to registration in the Radiation Protection Register (occupationally exposed individuals and radiation passport holders) need a unique identification number: the Radiation Protection Register Number (SSR Number) starting from 31 December 2018.
• With the SSR Number, it will be easier and better possible to assign and balance the individual dose values from occupational radiation exposure in the BfS Radiation Protection Register. Moreover it substitutes the previous Radiation Passport Number.
• The SSR Number is issued by the BfS. It is derived from the social security number (Section 147 of the Sixth Book of the Social Security Code (SGB VI)) and the personal data of the employee to be monitored, by irreversible encryption.
• The radiation protection supervisor or the corresponding obligated/responsible person in charge of the company or an appropriate authorised person has to apply for the SSR Number of the occupationally exposed persons and the radiation passport holders.

Statistical evaluation

The tasks of the Radiation Protection Register are not limited to personal radiation exposure monitoring. Just as important is the systematic and detailed statistical evaluation of the exposure data which serves as evidence for the optimisation of radiation exposure. In Europe, the optimisation requirement is applicable in addition to limit values. This means that radiation exposure has to be maintained as far below the legal limits as is reasonably achievable taking into account economic and social aspects.

Which exposure levels can be reached, is evidenced by the various statistical evaluations of exposure data illustrating the temporal trend and the present state of radiation exposure in the most diverse fields of work.

Work areas entailing comparatively high collective or individual doses for instance, can also be identified or estimated by means of statistical analyses. For example, the number of women of child-bearing age dealing with certain radionuclides can be ascertained.

Targeted radiation protection measures can be taken, if necessary. This may be relevant in the case of technologically induced changes; for instance, when new diagnostic and therapeutic options in medicine lead to changes in the radiation exposure levels of medical staff.

Information extracted from the Radiation Protection Register

One of the main tasks of the Radiation Protection Register is to provide information about the recorded data on occupational radiation exposure. In addition to the competent authorities, accident insurances and those responsible for radiation protection, the individuals concerned are also provided with information on personal data relating to themselves. This information may be requested informally stating the appropriate personal data.

Provision of data for scientific evaluations

The extensive data sets are also made available for scientific evaluations. For example, relationships between radiation exposure and its possible health effects can be investigated from an epidemiological point of view.

Development of the Radiation Protection Register

The Radiation Protection Register has been constantly extended ever since its foundation. Starting from 1992, all radiation passport issuances have been recorded centrally. All personal dose notifications have been recorded regularly since May 1997. In addition, further electronic data provided by the dosimetry services were integrated into the Radiation Protection Register; these data extend back to 1960.

The collection of incorporation data began in 2002. The vast majority of airline crews have been monitored for their radiation exposures from cosmic radiation since August 2003.