The new articles R. 231-71 to R. 231-116 of the Labour Code, introduced by above-mentioned decree 2003-296 of 31 March 2003, create a single radiation protection system for all workers (whether or not salaried) likely to be exposed to ionising radiation during their professional activities. Of these requirements, the following should be mentioned:
- application of the optimisation principle to the equipment, processes and work organisation (art. R. 231-75), which will lead to clarification of where responsibilities lie and how information is circulated between the head of the facility, the employer, in particular when he or she is not the head of the facility, and the person with competence for radiation protection.
- the dose limits (art. R. 231-76) were reduced to 20 mSv for 12 consecutive months, barring waivers resulting from exceptional exposure levels justified in advance, or emergency occupational exposure levels;
- the dose limits for pregnant women (art. R. 231-77) or more accurately for the child to be born (1 mSv for the period from the declaration of pregnancy up until birth).

The publication of six implementing orders since March 2003 has provided the clarification necessary for these new measures to be put into practice.

Zoning

New stipulations concerning the definition of controlled areas, monitored zones and specially regulated zones are yet to be published (planned for 2006), in order to take account of the new dose limits. The monitored zone is required to cover potential exposure of workers in excess of 1 mSv per year, and the controlled area is required to cover exposure likely to exceed 6 mSv per year. This order will also give the necessary additional information for defining signalling rules and health and safety rules within these zones.

The person with competence for radiation protection (PCR)

The duties of the person with competence for radiation protection (PCR) were extended to marking out the areas in which radiation work is being carried out, to studying the exposed workstations and to taking measures such as to reduce exposure (optimisation). For the performance of these duties, the PCR will have access to passive dosimetry and operational dosimetry data (art. R. 231-106). The instructor must be certified by an organisation accredited by the COFRAC.

The new order of 26 October 2005 concerning training of the person with competence for radiation protection and certification of the instructor, which abrogated the previous order of 29 December 2003, now makes a distinction between three sectors of activity:
a) the "medical" sector, comprising nuclear and radiological activities intended for preventive and curative medicine - including medico-legal examinations - dentistry, medical biology and biomedical research, as well as veterinary medicine;
b) the "BNI - ICPE" sector, covering establishments containing one or more basic nuclear installations and those which comprise an installation subject to licensing as a classified facility, with the exception of the nuclear activities in the medical sector defined above;
c) the "industry and research" sector, covering the nuclear activities defined in article R. 231-73 of the Labour Code, with the exception of the activities in the "medical" and "BNI - ICPE" sectors defined above.

Training comprises a theory module - common to all the options - and a practical module specific to each sector, comprising two options ("sealed sources and electric generators of ionising radiation" and "unsealed sources"). The duration and content of the PCR training programme therefore differ according to the activity sector in which the person is to work and the type of sources used.