Authorities regulating the use of radiation

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) supervises compliance with the Radiation Act and the regulations and orders issued under it. To some extent, the use of radiation and safety of radiation sources are also supervised by other regulatory authorities, such as Valvira and Finnish Customs, in addition to STUK.

The regulations concerning the use of radiation appliances and radiation sources that emit ionizing radiation and other radiation practices are set forth in the Radiation Act (592/1991), Radiation Decree (1512/1991) and the regulations issued under them. Furthermore, radiation practices and their safety are subject to EC legislation and the international radiation safety agreements that Finland has signed.

The enforcement of the Medical Devices Act (629/2010) is supervised by Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health). Valvira supervises the compliance of medical devices and promotes their safe use.

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) supervises compliance with the Radiation Act and the regulations issued under it as an agency of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH). Based on the Radiation Act, STUK issues general instructions concerning the safety of radiation practices (ST Guides).

According to the Radiation Act, the use of radiation is subject to a safety licence issued by STUK, unless the use has been separately exempted from a safety licence. STUK conducts inspections at places of use of radiation and supervises the safety of radiation use.