HERCA’s 35th Board Meeting in Helsinki: Key Progress in Radiological Protection
The Board of Heads of the European Association of Competent Authorities in Radiological Protection (HERCA) held its 35th meeting in Helsinki.
A key highlight was the significant progress of the working group collaborating with the ICRP. This alliance will give HERCA direct input on future guidelines by having representatives on ICRP’s Medical and Application committees.
The meeting, held at the STUK (Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) headquarters, also focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Discussions covered the challenges and opportunities that the European AI Regulation poses for radiological protection. A permanent agenda item was agreed upon for monitoring the use of AI in this context.
HERCA’s permanent working groups presented significant project advancements:
- The Training group highlighted its work on the practical application of the graded approach for radiological protection experts and supervisors.
- In Medical Applications, new awareness and inspection campaigns were announced, reinforcing the principles of justification and optimization of exposures.
- The Natural Radiation group is progressing on harmonizing indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of national radon action plans.
- The Emergency group consolidated its role as a platform for exchanging experiences, maintaining continuous monitoring of the situation in Ukraine.
- Finally, the Industrial Applications group reported on key discussions related to managing radioactive material in consumer goods and the non-medical exposure of individuals.
BoH also honored HERCA’s vicechair Pilar Lucio as she transitions from the Association to new responsibilities at the Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear. Her commitment to international cooperation has been invaluable!
The presence of observers from key international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Commission, and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) underscored HERCA’s relevance and impact in the global field of radiological protection.
The next HERCA Board of Directors meeting will take place in The Hague in November 2025. Save the date!
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(photo credit: STUK)