2. Identity
2
The Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) is the competent national regulatory authority in the
fields of radiation protection and nuclear safety.
Its mission is the protection of the public, the workers and the environment from ionizing radiation
and artificially produced non-ionizing radiation.
GAEC:
sets the radiation safety rules by:
issuing regulations
drafting and proposing legislation
ensures compliance with the legislative framework by:
performing inspections and measurements
monitoring the environmental radioactivity
monitoring the radiation doses of the occupationally exposed workers
providing continuous education and training
informing the public and the State
having safety as priority:
provides high level quality services and operates state-of-the-art laboratories
prepares for and responds to radiological/nuclear emergencies
promotes the radiation safety culture
commits itself to scientific excellence.
3. Vision
To be a modern regulatory authority in the areas of radiological and nuclear safety, enjoying
trustfulness and recognition nationally and internationally, and a model public service fulfilling
its tasks with responsibility.
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Values
ntegrity and Impartiality We decide on objective criteria; we recognize our responsibility towards serving the public interest.
I
ompetence We employ qualified personnel and provide them with opportunities of continuous training and education.
C
uality and Credibility We provide highly specialized accredited services, in compliance with international standards.
Q
ransparency We ensure that the outcome of the regulatory control related to public health and environmental protection, as
T
well as our operation, are transparent to the public.
ocial Responsibility e acknowledge our responsibility towards the society.
S
W
cientific Excellence e have the ambition to be the reference point in the fields of radiological protection and nuclear
S
W
safety.
penness e strongly support information dissemination, knowledge exchange and cooperation with other relevant bodies
O
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at national and international level.
Timeline
The Nuclear Research
Center “Demokritos”
starts to operate
under GAEC
Issuing of the Radiation
Protection Regulations
currently in force
Recognition of GAEC as
“Regional Centre for Education and
Training in Radiation, Transport and
Waste Safety” - long term agreement
with IAEA ratified by Law
20/6/1968
1954
Re-establishment of
GAEC
22/9/1987
6/3/2001
12/10/2012
1965
1975
1985
1995
2000
2005
2010
2012
26/2/1954
8/2/1985
16/5/1997
30/5/2012
An organization named as
“Greek Atomic Energy
Commission” (GAEC)
is established with main
objective the promotion
of the peaceful uses
of nuclear energy and
nuclear technology
Establishment of
GAEC as competent
regulatory authority.
Establishment of the
NCSR “Demokritos”
– Administrative and
functional separation
from GAEC
Non-ionizing
radiation
is included
in GAEC
responsibilities
International peer review
(Integrated Regulatory
Review Service, IRRS)
4. Organization – Human and financial resources
GAEC, as regulatory authority, is a decentralized (autonomous) public service. It is governed by a sevenmember Board.
GAEC employs 70 persons. Most of GAEC personnel hold a degree of high level education and dispose
specialized scientific expertise.
12
43
15
Staff academic qualifications
Special Scientific personnel
Scientific and Technical personnel
Administrative personnel
8
Financial resources
Ph.D.
3
17
4
Government
budget
16%
M.Sc.
Tertiary education
13
57%
Secondary education
29
Compulsory education
27%
Government
budget for
the national
contribution to
international
organizations
Self-financing
(services, fees, etc.)
Main tasks
drafting legislation and monitoring its implementation,
reviewing and performing inspections for ensuring radiation protection and safe use of radiation in medical, research and industrial
facilities, along with in situ measurements in facilities emitting electromagnetic fields (non-ionizing radiation). The scope is broad;
2,500 facilities (medical, industrial, research) using ionizing radiation and 7,000 mobile phones base stations are subject to inspections
and measurements performed by GAEC,
individual monitoring of 12,000 occupationally exposed workers,
provision of calibration services,
coordination of the national program of environmental radioactivity control,
operation of the telemetric system of monitoring radioactivity levels in the atmosphere.
Moreover, GAEC:
responds at operational and decision-making levels to radiation emergencies; participation in the General Plan for Civil Protection and
the National Plan for Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN) threats,
contributes to the combating of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials,
has the infrastructure and the expertise required for specialized radiation detection analysis in environmental samples, products,
materials etc. and for radon measurements in dwellings and workplaces,
participates in postgraduate courses and provides education and continous training to professionals,
performs research in the scientific areas connected to its regulatory functions,
provides information and advice to the state authorities and the public,
acts as communication channel and cooperates with European and international organizations.
5. Infrastructure
5
National Radiation Protection Database
The National Radiation Protection Database contains:
d
ata regarding the laboratories using or producing radiation, such as equipment, shieldings,
radiation protection, inspections results and administrative issues (e.g. personnel)
the inventory of the radiation sources used in the country
t
he National Dose Registry, with information related to occupationally exposed workers and the
registered doses, as well as data about their educational background
environmental radioactivity measurements’ results
results from electromagnetic fields, in situ inspections and measurements.
National ionising radiation calibration laboratory
Performs calibrations of ionizing radiation instruments in the fields of radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology,
mammography, radiation protection and individual monitoring.
Radiological analyses laboratory
Performs specialized radiological analyses in environmental samples, products, materials etc.
using the methods of gamma spectroscopy, alpha spectroscopy, total alpha and beta radiation
measurement and liquid scintillation.
Individual monitoring of external exposure
The radiation doses of the occupationally exposed workers are measured and recorded in the
National Dose Registry. The type of the personal dosemeter used is the thermoluminescent
dosemeter (whole body, neutron, wrist, finger dosemeters).
Individual monitoring of internal exposure
Whole body counting, thyroid uptake and analysis of biological samples are used for the assessment
of the internal exposure to radiation.
Telemetric network for monitoring radioactivity levels in the atmosphere nationwide – on line
access to the results through GAEC website
The network consists of 27 stations throughout the country. These stations record every ten minutes
the radioactivity levels and act as an alarm system in case of exceeding radiation levels.
Expertise and specialized equipment/infrastructure in radiation emergency response
GAEC disposes highly trained and experienced personnel to respond to radiation emergencies along
with specialized infrastructure (radiation detectors, mobile laboratory performing environmental
radioactivity measurements etc.).
6. Main achievements
6
Oversight of the totality of radiation facilities and activities - establishment of a
solid and effective radiation protection system in the country;
Nationwide, large scale education and training programs in radiation
protection;
Recognition as “IAEA Regional Centre for Education and Training in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety” - long term agreement with IAEA ratified by
Law;
Establishment of the National Observatory of electromagnetic fields, emitted
by all kinds of antenna stations installed in the country;
Telemetric environmental radioactivity monitoring system; results are available
at www.eeae.gr;
Installation of fixed radiation detection systems at entrance points (e.g.
customs offices) and metal industries to combat illicit trafficking of radioactive
materials;
Competence and expertise building in radiation emergencies response
and management - GAEC has succesfully responded to all radiological
emergencies/events in the country;
International peer-review of the national regulatory framework in radiation
protection and nuclear safety, as well as of GAEC as the competent authority
(Integrated Regulatory Review Service, IRRS Mission);
Accreditation of provided high-quality services according to the terms of ISO
17025 standard, accreditation of GAEC as “inspection body” according to the
terms of ISO 17020 and accreditation of non-formal education services according to the terms of ISO 29990;
Development of an integrated information system regarding the regulatory control of radioisotopes and radiation sources
transportation;
Fulfillment of international obligations in the fields of radiological and nuclear safety; development of international relations;
Active research component, supplementary to regulatory role: research projects, publications, participation in scientific con
ferences and networks.
7. Strategic goals
7
Safety first: continuous evaluation and improvement of the national radiation
protection programme;
Establishment of a modern regulatory framework in line with the new EC and
IAEA safety standards;
Assessment of the radiation doses to the general public in the country both
from natural and artificial radiation sources;
Development of an integrated information system for both collection and
dissemination of radiation related information;
Implementation of the action plan following the international peer-review;
Continuous improvement of quality of services provided by GAEC to third
parties;
Education and training activities: promotion of safety culture among stakeholders in the country;
Participation in research projects and promotion of scientific excellence in
areas supporting GAEC regulatory role;
Active role in policy making bodies and scientific networks at European and
international levels.
