The recently published new Basic Safety Standards Directive (Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom) modernises European radiation protection legislation by taking into account the latest scientific knowledge, technological progress, and operational experience with current legislation. At the same time, the new BSS Directive consolidates the existing 'acquis' of Euratom radiation protection legislation into 1 single piece of legislation, merging 5 directives and upgrading a recommendation to become legally binding.

As a result of the consolidation process, the new BSS Directive was given a broader scope and a completely new structure improving coherence and clarity of both definitions and requirements. Taking into account the latest scientific knowledge and technological progress, the new Directive entails substantial new requirements in various topical areas, e.g. improving the protection of patients in medical applications, improving the protection of workers, and improving the protection of the public in particular from natural radiation sources. Further to this, the new BSS Directive introduces strengthened requirements on emergency preparedness and response, especially with a view to the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident.

After entry into force of the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom on the 6.2.2014, Member States will have 4 years to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive.

The Commission is aware that the transposition and implementation of this comprehensive piece of legislation, comprising 99 definitions, 109 articles and 19 annexes, will constitute a major challenge for the respective national legislators and regulators in European Union Member States, candidate States, and EFTA States.

The Commission is therefore planning to organise actions and activities to monitor the transposition of the BSS Directive into Member States' national legislation and to support its implementation.