The Authority sets requirements for activities involving radiation. We also provide advice on radiation protection. These requirements and advice are based on scientific grounds. We also finance research.
Not only do we set requirements, we also check compliance. If we find that an activity is in any way deficient with regard to radiation safety, there are several kinds of action we can take. For example, we can make the decision to stop the activity immediately.
Who is responsible?
The responsibility for radiation safety rests entirely with the individual or licensee performing activities involving radiation. The task of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority is a supervisory one to ensure that the party responsible conducts the activity in a safe manner.
The Authority has many different roles and tasks:
As a Regulatory Authority we formulate regulations for activities involving radiation.
As a Supervisory Authority we check that those conducting activities involving radiation follow applicable rules and regulations and take responsibility for nuclear safety, radiation protection and nuclear non-proliferation. We do this by, for example, inspecting nuclear power plants and hospitals, as well as industries and universities that use radiation. We also support municipal authorities in their inspections of solariums.
As a Licensing Authority we process applications to establish or alter activities involving radiation. We review and make decisions regarding licences and advise the Government on licensing matters. Examples of activities that require a licence include the operations of nuclear power plants, use of certain types of laser and X-ray equipment, and the transportation of radioactive materials.
As an Authority with expertise in radiation and nuclear safety we contribute to the building of knowledge in society within our field. We do this by financing research and following up on research findings. We also provide advice and recommendations to the general public on how to protect themselves from sources of natural radiation, such as radon and the sun.
As an Authority for Emergency Preparedness and Response we coordinate national preparedness for incidents and emergencies involving radiation. We are prepared around the clock to quickly manage the consequences of accidents and incidents involving radiation in Sweden and abroad.
As an Authority for International Development we carry out projects that contribute to radiation protection and nuclear safety in other countries.
As an Environmentally Responsible Authority we are in charge of the environmental quality objective “A Safe Radiation Environment”. This objective means maintaining a low level of radioactive substances, minimising the incidence of skin cancer and surveying the risks of electromagnetic fields, as well as undertaking the necessary measures should we identify a risk.
As a National Standard Laboratory we calibrate instruments that are used in medicine, research and industry.