Radiological Protection Ordinance (RPO) (RPO)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Chapter 1 Definition and Reference Levels
Art. 132 Definition
Emergency means an failure as defined in Article 122, or another event involving increased radioactivity, which necessitates immediate action to mitigate or avert serious adverse consequences for human health and safety, living conditions and the environment.
Art. 133 Reference levels for the public
1 In emergency exposure situations, a reference level of 100 mSv in the first year applies for members of the public. 2 The Federal Civil Protection Crisis Management Board (CCMB), which is responsible for dealing with incidents of national importance relevant to the protection of the population in accordance with the Ordinance of 2 March 2018 on the Federal Civil Protection Crisis Management Board (CCMBO), may request the Federal Council to set a lower reference level, depending on the specific situation.
Para. 2 — SR 520.17 Para. 2 — Amended by Annex 3 No II 4 of the O of 2 March 2018 on the Federal Civil Protection Crisis Management Board, in force since 1 April 2018 (AS 2018 1093).
Art. 134 Reference levels for persons with special responsibilities
1 In emergency exposure situations, a deployment-related reference level of 50 mSv per year applies for persons with special responsibilities. 2 The CCMB may request the Federal Council to set lower reference levels, depending on the specific situation, for particular activities performed by persons with special responsibilities. 3 For saving human lives, preventing serious damage to health or averting disasters, a reference level of 250 mSv per year applies.
Para. 2 — Term in accordance with Annex 3 No II 4 of the O of 2 March 2018 on the Federal Civil Protection Crisis Management Board, in force since 1 April 2018 (AS 2018 1093). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
Chapter 2 Measures
Art. 135 Implementation of emergency preparedness
1 The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), together with the competent authorities and the cantons, is responsible for preparing the national emergency response plan. 2 The FOPH, in cooperation with the FOCP, shall prepare the radiological protection strategy for the national emergency response plan. This must be based on reference levels. For nuclear power plant scenarios, ENSI shall provide the necessary foundations. 3 The FOCP, together with the FOPH, is responsible for preparing the sampling and measuring organisation specified in Article 4a of the Ordinance of 17 October 2007 on the National Emergency Operations Centre (ONEOC). 4 The FOPH is responsible for preparing the measures required for the protection of public health. This is without prejudice to preparations for protective measures during the acute phase as specified in the CCMBO. 5 The FOPH is responsible for the maintenance of knowledge on the treatment of severely irradiated persons. 6 The FOPH and ENSI, together
Para. 3 — [AS 2007 4953, 2010 5395 Annex 2 No II 2, 2018 1093 Annex 2 No II 2 4953 Annex 5 No II 2. AS 2020 5087 Annex 3 No I 3]. See now the O of 11 Nov. 2020 on civil protection (SR 520.12). Para. 4 — SR 520.17. Term in accordance with Annex 3 No II 4 of the O of 2 March 2018 on the Federal Civil Protection Crisis Management Board, in force since 1 April 2018 (AS 2018 1093). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
Art. 136 Preparation of emergency response measures in the vicinity of enterprises
1 For enterprises where, given the licensed quantity and activity of radionuclides, an emergency may occur, the licensing authority shall specify on a case-by-case basis to what extent they are required to participate in preparing and implementing emergency response measures in the surrounding area, or to adopt such measures themselves. 2 The licensing authority shall involve the competent cantonal authorities and emergency services in preparing emergency response measures and inform them of the measures adopted. 3 For warnings and alerts and for preparing and implementing measures to protect against increased radioactivity in the vicinity of nuclear installations, the Emergency Response Ordinance of 20 October 2010 and the Alerts and Safety Radio Network Ordinance of 18 August 2010 apply.
Para. 3 — [AS 2010 5191, 2018 4335. AS 2018 4953 Annex 5 No I ]. See now the O of 14 Nov. 2018 (RS 732.33). Para. 3 — [AS 2010 5179 5191 Art. 20 No 2, 2013 4475, 2017 605, 2018 4953 Annex 5 No II 1. AS 2020 5087 Annex 3 No I 1]. See now the O of 11 Nov. 2020 on civil protectiopn (SR 520.12).
Chapter 3 Management
Art. 137 Reporting duty
The FOPH shall report an emergency to the World Health Organization (WHO) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) adopted on 23 May 2005.
SR 0.818.103
Art. 138 Duty to provide information
The supervisory authority shall ensure that information on emergencies is provided in a timely manner to the persons concerned at the enterprise, the public and the cantons concerned.
Art. 139 Determination of radiation doses
1 The FOPH is responsible for the calculation, assessment and verification of radiation doses to the public. In the acute phase of a crisis, the NEOC shall assume this responsibility in accordance with the Civil Protection Ordinance of 11 November 2020. 2 For simplified dose calculations, the dose coefficients specified in Annexes 5 and 6 apply.
Para. 1 — SR 520.12 Para. 1 — Amended by Annex 3 No II 8 of the Civil Protection Ordinance of 11 Nov. 2020, in force since 1 Jan. 2021 (AS 2020 5087).
Art. 140 Management in emergency exposure situations
1 In emergency exposure situations, the CCMB is responsible for management in accordance with the CCMBO. It shall take into account the implementation of emergency preparedness as specified in Article 135. 2 In a crisis, the NEOC shall deploy the sampling and measuring organisation specified in Article 4a paragraph 4 of the ONEOC. 3 The FOPH shall support the NEOC in preparing monitoring programmes. 4 The FOPH shall advise the CCMB on ordering measures to protect public health.
Para. 1 — SR 520.17 Para. 2 — [AS 2010 5179 5191 Art. 20 No 2, 2013 4475, 2017 605, 2018 4953 Annex 5 No II 1. AS 2020 5087 Annex 3 No I 1]. See now the O of 11 Nov. 2020 on civil protectiopn (SR 520.12).
Art. 141 Transition to an existing or planned exposure situation
The CCMB, on the basis of the radiological situation, shall request the Federal Council to order the transition from an emergency exposure situation to an existing or planned exposure situation.
Chapter 4 Persons with Special Responsibilities
Art. 142 Groups of persons
1 In an emergency exposure situation, the following are required to assume responsibility for tasks in accordance with Article 20 paragraph 2 letter b of the RPA: a. members of authorities and administrative bodies; b. members of the police, professional fire services, emergency medical services, civil protection and army; c. persons and undertakings such as monitoring and radiological protection teams, for direct intervention; d. persons and undertakings in the public and private transport sector, for passenger and freight transport and evacuations; e. persons and undertakings, for indirect intervention, such as at-source measures designed to prevent further contamination of the surrounding area; f. healthcare professionals and medical staff, for the care of radiation victims or other persons affected; g. persons and undertakings required to sustain critical infrastructure; h. persons and undertakings required to sustain indispensable public services. 2 For the protection of members o
Art. 143 Protection of health
1 The radiation exposure of persons with special responsibilities must be determined at appropriate intervals by means of suitable measurements. 2 If persons with special responsibilities have received an effective dose of more than 250 mSv, they must be placed under medical surveillance. 3 The medical surveillance and duties in the event of an exceedance are governed by Article 59 paragraphs 2–5.
Art. 144 Instruction
1 In an emergency exposure situation, persons with special responsibilities must receive appropriate instruction. The FDHA, in consultation with ENSI and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), shall specify: a. the goals of instruction; b. the radiological protection activities which the persons may perform on the basis of their instruction. 2 The authorities, administrative bodies, organisations and undertakings concerned are responsible for providing instruction.
Art. 145 Equipment
1 The persons with special responsibilities must have the equipment required for performing their tasks and protecting their health. The CCMB shall serve a coordinating function with regard to equipment. 2 The required equipment shall include in particular: a. an adequate number of measuring instruments and dosimeters to determine radiation exposure; b. means of protection against intakes or contamination.
Art. 146 Insurance cover and compensation
1 In the event of increased radioactivity, persons with special responsibilities are insured against accidents and illness. 2 If the cover provided by compulsory accident insurance and existing private insurance is not sufficient, the Confederation shall guarantee benefits in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Act of 19 June 1992 on Military Insurance. If necessary, the military insurance organisation may be involved for purposes of implementation. 3 If, as a result of their activities, persons and undertakings with special responsibilities incur costs that are not covered, they shall receive compensation from the Confederation. The DDPS shall regulate the processing of financial claims.
Para. 2 — SR 833.1
Chapter 5 Exceedance of Maximum Concentrations for
Art. 147
1 If, in an emergency exposure situation or in the subsequent existing exposure situation, the cantonal enforcement authorities determine an exceedance of a maximum concentration for radionuclides in foods in accordance with the food legislation, they shall take measures as specified in the food legislation and inform the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). 2 The FSVO shall inform the FOPH and the other cantons of reports received in accordance with paragraph 1.
