Radiological Protection Act (RPA) (RPA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Section 1 Principles of Radiological Protection
Art. 8 Justification of radiation exposure
An activity that involves the exposure of people or the environment to ionizing radiation (radiation exposure) may only be carried out if it can be justified in terms of the associated benefits and risks.
Art. 9 Limitation of radiation exposure
All measures dictated by experience and the current state of science and technology must be adopted in order to limit the radiation exposure of each individual person and of all parties concerned.
Art. 10 Dose limits
The Federal Council shall, in accordance with the current state of scientific knowledge, specify limits for radiation exposure (dose limits) for persons who may be exposed to an increased level of controllable radiation compared with the general population as a result of their work or other circumstances (exposed persons).
Section 2 Protection of Exposed Persons
Art. 11 Compliance with dose limits
Anyone who handles or is responsible for a source must take all measures necessary to ensure compliance with the dose limits.
Art. 12 Determination of the radiation dose
1 In exposed persons the radiation dose must be determined by appropriate methods. 2 The Federal Council shall regulate determination of the radiation dose. It shall define, in particular: a. those cases where radiation exposure is to be measured individually (personal dosimetry); b. the intervals at which the radiation dose is to be determined; c. the requirements for approval of personal dosimetry laboratories; d. the required retention period for the results of personal dosimetry. 3 Exposed persons are required to undergo any dosimetry prescribed. They shall be informed of the results.
Art. 13 Medical measures for occupationally exposed persons
1 Occupationally exposed workers covered by compulsory insurance are subject to the medical measures for the prevention of occupational diseases specified in Articles 81–87 of the Accident Insurance Act of 20 March 1981. 2 The Federal Council may also specify medical measures for other occupationally exposed persons. 3 Occupationally exposed persons are required to undergo any medical examinations prescribed.
Para. 1 — SR 832.20
Art. 14 Disclosure of medical data
1 The physician charged with the medical examination shall disclose to the supervisory authority any data necessary for medical surveillance and the compilation of statistics. The supervisory authority is not permitted either to use such data for other purposes or to pass it on to third parties. 2 The Federal Council shall specify the data to be disclosed to the supervisory authority. It shall define the retention period.
Art. 15 Medical applications
1 No dose limits are specified for patients exposed to radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. 2 The radiation exposure of patients shall be at the discretion of the person responsible. However, such persons must comply with the principles of radiological protection specified in Articles 8 and 9. 3 The Federal Council shall issue provisions for the protection of patients.
Art. 16 Responsibility within enterprises
1 The licence holder or the persons in charge of an enterprise are responsible for ensuring compliance with the radiological protection regulations. For this purpose, they are required to appoint an appropriate number of experts and to provide them with the necessary powers and resources. 2 All persons working in an enterprise are required to support the management and the experts with regard to radiological protection measures.
Section 3 Monitoring of the Environment and Protec
Art. 17 Environmental monitoring
1 In the environment, there shall be regular monitoring of ionizing radiation and of levels of radioactivity, particularly in air, water, soil, foodstuffs and feedingstuffs. 2 The Federal Council shall take the necessary measures; in particular, it shall designate the bodies and institutions responsible for monitoring. 3 It shall ensure that the results of monitoring are published.
Art. 18 Off-site limits
1 For the purpose of environmental monitoring, the Federal Council shall specify off-site limits for radionuclides and for direct radiation. 2 It shall specify the off-site limits so that, according to the standards of science and technology or based on experience, exposure to radiation below these limits does not endanger human beings, animals or plants, their communities or habitats. 3 For radionuclides in foodstuffs, the maximum concentrations in terms of the foodstuffs legislation apply.
Art. 18 — Amended by Annex No II 5 of the Foodstuffs Act of 20 June 2014, in force since 1 May 2017 (AS 2017 249; BBl 2011 5571).
Art. 19 Emergency response organization
1 The Federal Council shall establish an emergency response organization for incidents that could endanger the public as a result of increased radioactivity. 2 The emergency response organization shall have, in particular, the following responsibilities: a. in the event of an incident, it shall forecast the dangers arising for the public; b. it shall monitor the extent and course of increased radioactivity and assess possible impacts on people and the environment; c. where there is an imminent danger, it shall order the necessary emergency measures and supervise their implementation. 3 The details shall be elaborated by the Federal Council. It shall ensure that the emergency response organization: a. informs the competent federal and cantonal agencies of the extent of the danger and requests the necessary protective measures; b. informs the public.
Art. 20 Measures in response to danger arising from increased radioactivity
1 In the event of danger arising from increased radioactivity, the Federal Council shall order the measures necessary: a. to protect the public; b. to secure supplies throughout the country; c. to maintain essential public services. 2 It shall issue the regulations required in the event of danger arising from increased radioactivity. In particular, it shall specify: a. the radiation doses acceptable in exceptional situations; b. the duty of persons and undertakings to assume responsibility, within the scope of their usual occupational and entrepreneurial activities, for certain tasks that are indispensable for the protection of the public; the life and health of the persons deployed shall be protected; c. the equipment, training and insurance cover required for persons charged with special tasks. 3 If the Federal Council and the emergency response organization are not in a position to order the necessary measures, the cantonal governments or, in urgent cases, the competent cantonal age
Art. 21 Implementation of measures
1 Unless the Federal Council assigns responsibility for implementation to the federal authorities, the cantons and communes shall be responsible for the preparation and execution of measures in accordance with Article 20. The cantons shall collaborate with the emergency response organization. 2 If the cantonal or communal bodies responsible for implementation are not in a position to fulfil their functions, the Federal Council may place them under the authority of the emergency response organization or instruct other cantons to put available resources at their disposal. 3 The Confederation, cantons and communes may also engage private organizations for the implementation of certain measures.
Art. 22 Emergency protection
1 In cases where the release of dangerous amounts of radioactive substances into the environment cannot be ruled out, the enterprises concerned shall be required, as part of the licensing procedure: a. to establish, at their own expense, an alarm system for the population at risk or to contribute proportionally to the costs of a general alarm system; b. to participate in the preparation and implementation of emergency protection measures. 2 The Federal Council shall define the responsibilities of the competent federal, cantonal and communal agencies.
Art. 23 International cooperation
The Federal Council may conclude international agreements concerning: a. the mutual exchange of information on environmental radioactivity; b. immediate notification in the event of danger arising from radioactivity that could cross international borders; c. the harmonization of plans for measures to be taken in the event of cross‑border radioactive contamination.
Art. 24 Persistently increased environmental radioactivity
If increased levels of radioactivity from natural or other sources are detected in the environment over a prolonged period, the Federal Council may order special measures to limit radiation exposure. It may involve the cantons for purposes of implementation.
Section 4 Radioactive Waste
Art. 25 Definition and principles
1 «Radioactive waste» means radioactive substances or radioactively contaminated materials which are not reused. 2 Radioactive substances are to be handled in such a way that as little radioactive waste as possible is generated. 3 Radioactive waste arising in Switzerland must, as a general rule, be disposed of in this country. By way of exception, an export licence may be granted for the disposal of radioactive waste if: a. the recipient country has consented to the import of the radioactive waste for disposal in an international agreement; b. an appropriate nuclear facility meeting international standards of science and technology is available in the recipient country; c. transit has been approved by the transit countries; d. the sender has entered into a binding agreement with the recipient of the radioactive waste, with the approval of the authority designated by the Federal Council, to the effect that the sender will take back the waste if necessary. 4 By way of exception, an impor
Para. 3 let. d — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Dec. 2005 (AS 2004 4719; BBl 2001 2665). Para. 4 let. d — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Dec. 2005 (AS 2004 4719; BBl 2001 2665).
Art. 26 Handling of radioactive waste on-site and discharge to the environment
1 On-site, radioactive waste must be handled and stored in such a way as to minimize releases of radioactive substances to the environment. 2 The Federal Council shall specify the conditions under which low-level radioactive waste may be discharged to the environment. 3 Radioactive waste that is not to be discharged to the environment must be suitably retained or securely contained, possibly in solidified form, collected and stored at a site approved by the supervisory authority while awaiting surrender or export.
Para. 3 — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Dec. 2005 (AS 2004 4719; BBl 2001 2665).
Art. 27 Surrender
1 Anyone who produces radioactive waste not arising as a result of the use of nuclear energy is required to surrender it to a centre designated by the competent authority. 2 The waste producer must bear the costs of disposal. 3 The Federal Council shall regulate the treatment of waste on-site and its surrender. 4 If immediate surrender or disposal is not possible, or not appropriate for reasons of radiological protection, the waste must be placed in supervised interim storage.
Art. 27 — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Dec. 2005 (AS 2004 4719; BBl 2001 2665). Para. 2 — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Dec. 2005 (AS 2004 4719; BBl 2001 2665). Para. 3 — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force since 1 Dec. 2005 (AS 2004 4719; BBl 2001 2665). Para. 4 — Amended by Annex No II 4 of the Nuclear Energy Act of 21 March 2003, in force s